“If I worked in this industry for 40 years, I could never break into that gang. Local firms are struggling to win contracts for development consultancy because there is this network of key individuals, who you see time and time again heading up the big projects. A disproportionate amount is spent on consultants, and then two years down the line the project fails and everyone says it is due to lack of capitalisation. Well the money was there. But it was just not spent wisely.” – Jeremy Stephen, Barbadian business consultant (The Telegraph)

“There is no way you can have a better country, without having better people. Unless it is felt that a better country is to have nice smooth roads and you going on a nice road to nowhere; or to have pretty houses but you don’t live in any; or to have a nice car you cannot drive. A real improved country is when the people are better off, and therefore the people must seek to improve themselves.” – Damion Crawford, Minister of State, Tourism and Entertainment, Jamaica (Jamaica Gleaner)

“Caribbean tourism is recovering, albeit in a patchy manner, but many challenges remain. Over the next 12 months food and energy prices will increase significantly and tourism related tax increases, whether in the pipeline or already legislated for, will take effect. Global competition remains intense as other destinations, including developed nations, have come to recognise that stimulating tourism offers a quick way to generate growth.” – David Jessop, Director, The Caribbean Council (Jamaica Gleaner)

“I am very honored to receive this award (2012 APEX Award for Distinguished Service in the area of Heritage Tourism) from Black Meetings and Tourism. I convey my heartfelt thanks to the Committee. I also welcome this award as a recognition of Martinique’s rich heritage, arts and literary legacy.” – Muriel Wiltord, Director, Martinique Promotion Bureau for the Americas

“We must invest for secure return in preparation for the days when we may not be able to earn our living in the customary sense. We must adopt a culture of venture capital investment, however small, which may help entrepreneurs grow the economy. Give and it shall be returned to you.” – Dr. Basil Springer, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust Inc. (Barbados Advocate)

“If each one of us had genuine pride in our country, in our wonderful variety of plant and animal life, in cultural heritage, we would be eager to tell foreigners about it, we would be inviting them to come visit our shores and see it first-hand.” – Stephen Cadiz, Minister of Tourism, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” – Edward Abbey, American author

“Quotable Caribbean” is compiled by Marketplace Excellence, a full-service, integrated marketing agency committed to  excellence in the fields of public relations, marketing and media coaching.