JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, WICB: The West Indies will herald hosting of the Cricket World Cup 2007 with a Caribbean-style event on March 9 here.
South African and international journalists and cricket officials, tour operators and other influential persons will be invited to get a taste of what the Caribbean has to offer the world in four years time.
The event which is being hosted at a private venue by the Windies World Cup 2007 delegation now in South Africa is made possible through the support of a number of companies as well as cultural and tourism entities in the region. Video extracts of the event will be shown internationally to build awareness of the West Indies’ hosting of the next World Cup as the CWC2003 draws to a close.
During the party, top Caribbean band, Square One, will take the invitees on a musical journey throughout the region performing popular music from cadence to soca and zouk to reggae. Patrons will also get an introduction by video to the beauty of the Caribbean and the special experience of watching cricket, “The Windies Way.”
Elegant Hotels, Barbados, will also be sending one of its chefs, Athlon McCollin, to prepare an authentic Caribbean meal for patrons to enjoy.
Among the other companies supporting the venture are British Airways, Grace Foods, Carib Breweries, S.M Jaleel, Mount Gay Rum, Cable & Wireless and Baker’s Choice. Clothing manufacturers, Dingolay are also providing Caribbean-style outfits for hostesses at the event.
Chris Dehring, the WWC 2007 chief executive officer and head of the delegation, addressing the purpose of the Windies World Cup 2007 party noted: “This event is a launching pad for the massive effort that we will undertake with partners in tourism and business in general to ensure that CWC 2007 attracts an unprecedented number of visitors to the Caribbean and dramatically heightens awareness of this region as a preferred tourism destination.”
Dehring also thanked the companies and the band Square One for their generous contributions that would make the event possible.