Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Carlene Henry-Morton
The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization recently organized a Tourism Education Workshop for teachers and education officers.
The two-day workshop was facilitated by Sharon Banfield-Bovell, who is the regional Human Resource Development Consultant for CTO.
The Tourism Education Workshop was structured to raise awareness of the opportunities that tourism offers our youth: in the context of capacity building, community development, entrepreneurship and leadership. .
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Carlene Henry-Morton, said her goal is to adopt a systematic and coordinated approach to Tourism Education because the requisite training and education cannot be left to chance.
Tourism contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Therefore, investment in the development of the physical infrastructure must occur in tandem with investment in the development of the most important resource – the people.
“As a people we must come to fully appreciate that tourism is a service-driven industry, and the onus is therefore on us to add those final touches that complete, enhance and add value to the visitor experience,” Morton said. “Equally we must understand that responsible, sustainable Tourism is not only about large hotels, resorts and wealthy guests; important as they are; tourism is primarily about people and the industry offers immense opportunity for our local people to improve their quality of life; either through direct employment, or indirectly through the ancillary services they provide.”
The Ministry of Tourism has embarked on a decidedly people-centered approach to tourism sector development with emphasis on service training and education. This strategic approach emphasizes community out-reach, paying particular attention to grassroots leadership. And, also targets our learning institutions, to meaningfully engage the future labour force.
“It is imperative that collectively we do all in our power now to meaningfully engage our youth as they will be charged with the responsibility of preserving and safeguarding for posterity, for future generations, this very important industry; one that is entrenched in, and will continue to be, integral to, our way of life,” Morton said.
Morton said she was confident that the Tourism Education Workshop and similar programmes will help to further the Ministry’s agenda of inclusion and capacity-building to support a more diversified and decentralised tourism sector.
“Initiatives such as this will also position our young people to take ownership and contribute to the evolution of this critical industry, and to discern and acquire the skills and training necessary to take full advantage of the employment opportunities presented by tourism,” Morton said.