The Caribbean will earn US$40.3 billion from tourism this year, 10 per cent more than it did in 2003, according to a study conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The study, which was conducted on behalf of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) over a year ago, was released to the industry last month. In her address during the environmental awards luncheon on the final day of the Green Tourism Conference held in Montego Bay last week, CHA president Berthia Parle encouraged tourism interests to get copies of the study. "I recommend that every Caribbean travel and tourism operator and/or professional - whether public or private sector-based - access copies of this study and digest thoroughly its contents," she urged. Other projections that were included in the document, she said, are: . that the industry will this year account for 2.4 million jobs, representing 15.5 per cent of total regional employment, and . it will provide 4.1 per cent annualised real GDP growth over the next 10 years. Turning her attention to Cricket World Cup 2007, Parle warned that the Caribbean tourism and travel industry must be ready for the 100,000 tourists expected in the region during the sporting event. "The Caribbean travel and tourism industry must be fully committed and prepared to roll out its welcome and hospitality to the projected influx of between 60,000 to 100,000 visitors expected during the six-to-eight-week competition period," she declared. SOURCE: JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM