Opening the fourth International African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT) Conference in Bermuda next Sunday will be the Bahamian Minister of Tourism.

Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, who is also a former head of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, will replace the Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Ewart Brown said he was disappointed that Prime Minister Skerritt could not make it, but said Minister Vanderpool-Wallace was a worthy replacement.

He said: ""I was disappointed to hear the Prime Minister couldn't join us, but what a stellar replacement we've found. "Minister Vanderpool-Wallace understands Tourism and the African Diaspora like few others. I expect his addition will generate new excitement for this event.

"I especially hope Bermudians will come out to hear from the Minister. A lot of people in Bermuda know and respect him." The Premier will be hosting the event that takes place from July 26 to July 30 at the Fairmont Southampton Princess and co-chairing it will be actor Danny Glover and the Permanent Secretary of Education Radell Tankard.

ADHT, which was founded to celebrate history, culture and achievements of people of the African Diaspora, was the brainchild of Bermuda's former Minister of Tourism David Allen and during Premier Brown's leaderships has been designated a UNESCO Slave Route Project.

Minister Vanderpool-Wallace's home country the Bahamas was the second country to brand an official trail and was the host of last year's ADHT conference.

Tickets to this year's conference can be purchased on a daily basis or for the entire event and more information is available at: www.ADHT.net. Bermudians wishing more information can contact Melony Ford Douglas at the Department of Tourism.