This event provided two days of seminars with well-known presenters in attendance and with opportunities for networking and business development. The wellness cluster team had the opportunity to win the award for the best booth and to be a part of the vision as seen by the coordinators of the conference, Sharon and Theo Chambers.

It is hoped that the wellness industry will benefit from the following:

Lifestyle transformation through the healing of the mind and body, and the food eaten, as well as the words spoken.

A more professional approach to wellness and marketing strategies to turn this into a billion-dollar business for the country.

An increased focus on upscale baths and springs in the island, as well as on the indigenous skills from of our communities giving them an opportunity to showcase their natural products and skills.

Exposure to a wide variety of vegetarian foods. The culinary section of the conference had on display a wide variety of vegetarian foods available in the Caribbean. There were five-star gourmet preparations from The Sandals Hotel chefs, raw foods, healthy juices, natural pies, natural wines and tonics from plant sources.

A vision for health tourism. It is hoped that this annual fest will pioneer the way for us to establish health tourism in the Caribbean. It is also hoped that nursing schools will attract 'caregivers' to meet the needs of retirees and elderly persons who can find comfort and peace in the tranquil settings on the islands.

Wellness tourism

As we continue the discussion on wellness, on April 1 and 2, the Caribbean Health and Wellness Tourism will be hosting a meeting at the Accra Beach Hotel and Resort in Barbados.

It is a Canadian-funded meeting implemented by Caribbean Export Development Agency and the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada. This meeting will deal with strategies to meet the challenges and solutions in regulations, standards, certification and credentials in wellness.