Is it possible to build a vibrant tourism industry while conserving the valuable natural resources of a destination? This is the key question which
 will spark the 8th edition of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, February 9-13, 2006.

Counterpart International and its Caribbean affiliate Counterpart Caribbean made the announcement Monday following the successful staging of the interactive media dialogue in Nassau, Bahamas this month.
Dr. Basil Springer, Chairman of Counterpart Caribbean, said the theme for the meeting will be "Sustainable Development: A Balancing Act" and delegates will examine "how do we motivate our best people to engage in tourism development which creates wealth while revitalising local culture and conserving the fragile environment".

"The diligent pursuit of the social partnership model is an optimal strategy towards the objective of sustainable development, and the media should be included in the social partners to act as a catalyst in the achievement of the objective," said Dr. Springer, who believes the fourth estate is ideally positioned to effectively communicate with the people through strategies of investigative journalism.