ST. THOMAS - Seven high school students will vie for the title of Junior Tourism Commissioner today at Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas by showcasing their opinions, ideas and solutions to support tourism in the territory.

The annual competition is hosted by the V.I. Tourism Department and starts at 10 a.m.

At the event, high school students from across the territory will make formal presentations on tourism issues to a panel of judges. The winner will be named Junior Tourism Commissioner and will represent the territory at various Tourism Department events throughout the year. The champion will also receive a laptop computer.

"The goal is to keep them involved in different projects we're working on and hopefully spark in them a desire to pursue a career in tourism," Tourism spokeswoman Allegra Kean-Moorehead said.

She said the winner will travel with the Tourism team to events like the annual USVI Hotel and Tourism Association Destination Symposium and the annual Tommy Star awards event.

The Inter-School Junior Tourism Commissioner Competition was developed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization - of which the V.I. Tourism Department is a member - to introduce Caribbean students to the fundamental role of tourism in the economic development of their countries, promote leadership and inspire hospitality and tourism careers.

Moorhead said that although the CTO has temporarily suspended its program in which finalists from each Caribbean nation compete for a regional title, the Tourism Department has continued the program locally.

The seven students competing for the local title are: Louis Robles from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Kimberly Brin from All Saints Cathedral School, Krythemer Edmead from Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Mills from St. Croix Central High School, Emma Smith from St. Croix Country Day School, Connor Masburn from AZ Academy and Nyasia Santiago from Good Hope School.

"We are delighted once again to offer this program in the U.S. Virgin Islands, giving our students a forum to express their own views on tourism-related issues," Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said in a prepared statement. "Since tourism will remain the main economic engine for our islands for the foreseeable future, it's important to provide opportunities where students, our future business and community leaders, can develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the tourism industry."