Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/79688
In an effort to provide an enhanced user experience for USVI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM ENHANCES WEBSITE FOR CONSUMERS WITH DISABILITIES consumers with disabilities, the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism launched several upgrades to the Territory's website,www.visitusvi.com. The upgrades enable greater synergy between the tech- nologies used by consumers and the Department's site. Enhancements include closed captioning for videos, updated navigation, improved page layout, and greater con- trast on pages to assist the vision impaired. Accessibility is the aim of these and other features, which ensure screen readers accurately communicate the content of the site. While the site has been 100% ADA compliant (The AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct of 1990) for some time, these changes elevate the experience for visitors with disabilities. "As a US Territory operating under US law, the USVI is aiming to take the lead in theCaribbeanwith accessible lodg- ing, attractions and other options to provide a barrier-free travel experience," reported Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "We are very pleased to roll out these newenhancements to ensure that travelers with dis- abilities enjoy a user-friendly experience even before visiting the destination," she added. In addition to improving BEVERLY NICHOLSON-DOTY the user experience for con- sumers with disabilities, the upgrades include an updated homepage design with infor- mation about the DOT iPhone App and the USVI Blue Flag certification pro- gram. A new page has been dedicated to information on St. Croix casinos as well as a page dedicated to cruising to the USVI. "Our website remains the single most important market- ing tool for promoting the US Virgin Islands around the world so we are continuously investing in upgrades to ensure all prospective visitors have access to useful information about the destination," asserted Commissioner Nicholson- Doty. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. The top man at the world's leading international tourism Speak at CTO's State of the Industry Conference Scheduled for 11 – 13 October in St. Kitts TOURISM'S PREMIER CONFERENCE UNWTO's Secretary General, Taleb Rifai to CHIEF TO ADDRESS CARIBBEAN GLOBAL TOURISM BODY organization will address the Caribbean's premier tourism gathering, organized by region's tourism development agency. The secretary general of theWorld Tourism Organization – a United Nations agency (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, has confirmed that he will speak at the State of the Industry Conference scheduled for 11 – 13 October, 2012 in St. Kitts. The conference is being organ- ized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the inter- national organization responsi- ble for the development of Caribbean tourism. "We are pleased that Dr. Rifai has accepted our invita- tion to speak at the CTO State of the Industry conference.As the head of the global body for tourism, it is fitting that Dr. Rifai would attend the premier event for the Caribbean's bread and butter industry and to lend his support to the efforts of the region's tourism institu- tion to build a sustainable industry," said Hugh Riley, the CTO's secretary general. As head of the UNWTO,Dr.Rifai oversees the organiza- TALEB RIFAI tion's program to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustain- ability in its 155 member countries. The CTOState of the Industry conference brings together over 300 tourism industry leaders from the more than 30 member-countries of the CTO, as well as representatives of the regional and international private sector, academics and members of the press. Itwill be the first official appearance of the new Chairman of the CTO's Council of Ministers who will have been elected on 11 October and who will serve for a period of two years. The conferencewill be held at the St.KittsMarriottResort and has as its themes, "Developing aWinning Strategy" and "Rediscovering Home". Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21