Dear CHTA Members, Trade Partners, Sponsors and Supporters of the CHTA Education Foundation,
As we journey through 2024, we at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) continue our mission to nurture and empower the future luminaries of our hospitality and tourism sectors. As always, our efforts are geared towards not only maintaining but elevating the standards of excellence that the Caribbean is known for worldwide.
Our commitment to fostering educational opportunities is demonstrated through our dynamic scholarship programs. The deadline for our annual CHTAEF scholarships has just been extended to June 15. I am thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our newly launched Tourism Resilience Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is dedicated to enhancing the skills of Caribbean hospitality professionals in resilience building, sustainable practices, and regenerative tourism principles.
Additionally, we are proud to introduce the Marine Health Scholarship Program, designed to cultivate expertise in marine conservation—an area of critical importance given our region's reliance on its marine biodiversity for sustainable tourism growth. This scholarship supports Caribbean nationals aspiring to careers as dive masters, dive instructors, and specialists in marine biology and coral nursery management. It reflects our broadened commitment to
Haiti Language Program
The CHTAEF is delighted to once again sponsor the Spoken Hospitality English program in collaboration with theÉcole Hôtelière d’Haiti, supported by Curtain Bluff Resort, Antigua in memory of Chelle Hulford, a staunch advocate for Haitian hospitality students.
include essential aspects of environmental stewardship in our educational initiatives.
In reflecting on the past months, I am encouraged by the success of our Spoken Hospitality English program in Haiti and the overwhelming response to our Caribbean Supercharged Service Training. These initiatives underscore the passion and dedication of our participants and the positive impact of our programs on their professional lives.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to offering these transformative experiences to as many individuals as possible, underpinned by the generous contributions of our Caribbean hotels, educational partners, corporate sponsors and patrons who share our vision for a resilient and thriving Caribbean tourism sector.
Together, let's continue to inspire and be inspired, to educate and be educated, as we uphold the highest standards of excellence and innovation in Caribbean hospitality and tourism.
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our cause.
Warm regards,
Karolin Troubetzkoy Chairperson, CHTAEF
www.chtaef.com
On April 20, 2024, the École Hôtelière d’Haiti welcomed 30 new students to this program, aimed at empowering Haitian youth with essential language skills for the hospitality sector. These students, in their final year, are pursuing certifications in Hospitality Management (20) and Culinary Arts (10).
Despite challenges, the students are eager to learn English, seeing it as a vital step toward hospitality careers, said Sandra Fleurantin, Educational Coordinator. “Last year's program greatly benefited our students. They face many obstacles, yet remain determined to seize this opportunity.”
Delivered by Nexus Professional Development Institute, this four-month course equips participants with the linguistic skills crucial for Haiti's growing tourism industry.
With the new cohort's launch, the CHTAEF’s initiative continues to be pivotal in enhancing Haiti's tourism and developing a skilled workforce poised for global success.
NEWSLETTER MAY 2024
Empowering Caribbean Hospitality: A Look at Our 2023 Training Success
We are thrilled to share the remarkable results of our 2023 training initiatives across the Caribbean! In an extensive program that spanned the Turks & Caicos Islands, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Aruba, and The Bahamas, we successfully equipped over 1,100 hospitality professionals from 98 businesses with enhanced skills and knowledge. Participants, ranging from executive management to team members, explored a variety of topics including people management, supervisory skills, safety protocols, food knowledge, and advanced sales techniques.
Feedback from general managers highlights the immediate and positive impact of the training, noting significant improvements in service delivery and team performance. Encouraged by these successes, we are excited to continue our commitment to excellence in hospitality service with our upcoming Caribbean Supercharged Service Training for 2024. Hotel and Tourism Associations and Service Providers are invited to contact us to discuss their training needs.
General Scholarship Program
Our longest-running program, the General Scholarship Program, is designed to support the next generation of Caribbean Hospitality Professionals by providing financial assistance for accredited university hospitality programs. In 2023, we awarded eight scholarships to outstanding Caribbean nationals pursuing degrees in hospitality management, business administration, or related fields.
The scholarship recipients are Roan Akeem Jacobs, Koby Samuel, and Alisa Smith from Antigua & Barbuda; Chantelle Lacle from Aruba; Rhema Blackman from the Bahamas; Kadia Jackson from Jamaica; Sophia Rios Herrera from Trinidad & Tobago; and Ira Claxton from St. Croix, USVI.
Ira Claxton, a long-standing volunteer with CHTA and other tourism initiatives, stated: “The CHTAEF scholarship allows me to attend a world-renowned program like FIU's Master of Science in Hospitality Management, specializing in Hospitality Real Estate Development.
This program provides me with tools to join the next generation of hospitality development professionals in the region.”
“My career wouldn’t be possible without this financial support,” explained Sophia Rios Herrera of Trinidad & Tobago. “This scholarship will maximize my university experience through service learning, volunteer opportunities, and internships.”
The Education Foundation congratulates all scholarship recipients and wishes them success in their academic and professional endeavors. The foundation remains committed to fostering the hospitality industry's growth in the Caribbean, with applications open until 15 June 2024 for this academic year.
Learn more about the Education Foundation, its scholarships, and training programs at www.chtaef. com.
Professional Development
This year's Caribbean Professional Development Program cohort includes participants from 14 nations, including Antigua, Bahamas, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos.
These professionals average 11 years of experience, with individual tenures ranging from five to 20 years.
Participants come from various hospitality roles such as housekeeping, tour guiding, front desk operations, spa services, accounting, and food service. They aim to leverage this program to secure leadership positions or spread their expertise across the region.
One participant, who started as a Front Desk agent and advanced to Reservations, sees the program as a pathway to senior management by enhancing skills in finance, operations, and management. Another, who progressed from Restaurant Server to F&B Director over nearly two decades, aims to become an Executive Team Leader, viewing this program as crucial for his ambitions.
Jewelle Griffith from St. Kitts, initially in Accounting and Finance, has become Acting Interim Hotel Manager. She values the program for gaining a broad understanding of hotel operations.
Two participants with medical backgrounds have returned to hospitality, driven by a passion for the dynamic field, and are using the program to achieve leadership roles.
Designed to elevate Caribbean nationals from various entry points in hospitality to leadership roles, this year's class is backed by their employers and is poised to fully realize their potential upon completing the program.
2024 Hotel Auction Donors - A Celebratory Milestone
Dear Esteemed Hotel Partners,
For over almost 4 decades, your unwavering support has been instrumental in sculpting the landscape of hospitality in the Caribbean. Since 1986, the generous donations of hotel stays have been the cornerstone of our annual Fundraising Auction. These contributions have not only helped the Foundation raise critical funds but have also paved the way for countless scholarships and training opportunities, nurturing the talents of hundreds of Caribbean hospitality professionals.
As we approach the 2024 Fundraising Auction, we reflect on our collective achievements—each a testament to the spirit of collaboration and generosity that defines our community. The exciting growth in scholarship opportunities and professional
ANTIGUA
Carlisle Bay Resort
Curtain Bluff
Galley Bay Resort & Spa ADULTS ONLY
Hammock Cove Antigua ADULTS ONLY
Hermitage Bay
Pineapple Beach Club Antigua ADULTS ONLY
St James's Club & Villas
The Inn at English Harbour
The Verandah ADULTS ONLY
ARUBA
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
Eagle Aruba Resort
BAHAMAS
Atlantis Paradise Island, Royal Towers
Comfort Suites Paradise Island
Pelican Bay Hotel
The Cove Eleuthera
BARBADOS
Bougainvillea Barbados
Infinity on the Beach
Mango Bay
Southern Palms Beach Club & Hotel
Sugar Bay Barbados
The Club Barbados ADULTS ONLY
The Crane Resort
The Sands
BELIZE
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Guana Island
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Sunshine Suites
DOMINICA
Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort- 3-nights
Secret Bay
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dreams Dominicus La Romana
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana
GRENADA
Calabash Hotel
JAMAICA
Altamont West Hotel
Holiday Inn Resort
development is clear evidence of the progress we are making together.
This year, as we aim to build on this legacy of success, we hope to count on your esteemed support once more.
To participate, please complete our donation form found on chtaef.com or for more personalized assistance, do not hesitate to contact us directly at foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity and commitment to advancing the hospitality industry in the Caribbean. Your support is vital to sustain and expand the Foundation's initiatives, and together, we are setting the stage for a future rich with opportunity and success.
Jamaica Inn Ocho Rios
The Tryall Club Villa
PANAMA
Los Establos Boutique Inn
PUERTO RICO
Wyndham Palmas Del Mar
ST KITTS
Royal St Kitts Hotel
ST LUCIA
Anse Chastanet
Bay Gardens Beach Resort
BodyHoliday
Calabash Cove Resort & Spa
Coco Palm
Harmony Marina Suites
Hotel Chocolat
Jade Mountain
Ladera Resort
Marigot Beach Club & Dive Resort
StolenTime
Sugar Beach, A Viseroy Hotel
Ti Kaye
Villa Atabeyra
ST MAARTEN
Belair Beach Hotel
SURINAME
Torarico Hotels
THE GRENADINES
Palm Island Resort ADULTS ONLY
TRINIDAD
Hilton Trinidad
TURKS & CAICOS
Ambergris Cay
Royal West Indies Resort
The Somerset on Grace Bay
USVI, ST CROIX
Caravelle Hotel & Casino
Company House Hotel
The Buccaneer
USVI, ST THOMAS
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
Half Moon
The CHTA Education Foundation (CHTAEF) has launched a new “Tourism Resilience Scholarship Fund”. The Tourism Resilience Scholarship Fund has been made possible through the generous donation of Saint Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort, a Principal Sponsor.
The fund aims to encourage and support Caribbean hospitality professionals in pursuing training and education related to resilience building, sustainable and regenerative tourism principles, and destination stewardship.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Binder Family for their support of the CHTA Education Foundation (CHTAEF) in loving memory of Warren Binder. Warren's remarkable contributions to the tourism sector and his passionate advocacy for education in the Caribbean left an indelible mark. His dedication to the CHTAEF, particularly in mobilizing support through the auction of room nights, has been instrumental in advancing educational opportunities for our Caribbean hospitality professionals. . We honor his legacy and extend our sincere thanks to his family for continuing this vital support.
The CHTA Education Foundation (CHTAEF) is proud to introduce the Marine Health Scholarship Program. The Caribbean is renowned for its remarkable marine biodiversity and the sustainability and growth of our tourism industry are deeply intertwined with the health of our marine environments. To this end, the scholarship aims to foster a new generation of professionals skilled in marine health, from dive masters and dive instructors to specialists in reef life renewal, marine biology, and coral nursery management.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Education Foundation (CHTAEF) has partnered with Basis Technologies to boost Caribbean hospitality marketing through artificial intelligence and programmatic advertising. This collaboration provides industry experts access to Basis Technologies’ cutting-edge software and educational systems, enhancing their advertising strategies and operational efficiency.
This virtual learning program provides industry knowledge and certification in how advertising technology integrates planning, digital operations, reporting, and financial reconciliation across various media channels.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chapter UK & Europe for their generous charitable contribution. Representing over 70 travel-related companies, this vital partnership enhances the Caribbean travel experience by offering specialized support and expertise. We are profoundly grateful for their commitment and support, which continues to make a positive impact on travel and tourism in the Caribbean.
Welcoming Our New Principal Sponsor
We are thrilled to announce Classic Vacations as a new Principal Sponsor of our organization. Recognized as the number one rated global luxury travel company, Classic Vacations has been the go-to full-service resource for Travel Advisors over the last fourv decades. Known for its unparalleled product expertise and exceptional service, Classic has helped craft millions of extraordinary travel experiences across more than a hundred destinations worldwide. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Classic Vacations, advancing our shared commitment to exceptional Caribbean vacation experiences.
Thank you to our Patrons of the Foundation who have generously donated to our programs and training initiatives: Ernest Dwight Karolin Troubetzkoy We appreciate your support For sponsorship opportunities visit www.chtaef.com
Thank you to our Board of Trustees
Karolin Troubetzkoy, Jade Mountain (Chairperson)
NadineRankin, AMG (Secretary)
Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay Hotel
Amrita Bhalla, AB Consulting
Rachel Browne, Hermitage Antigua
Heidi Clarke, Sandals Foundation
ErnestDwight, Southwood (Retired)
MikeHampton, FIU
NeilKolton, Interval International
OmarRobinson, Arya Resorts Management Company
The Foundation would like to thank our former Trustees for their many years of support and guidance and who now will make up a new Advisory Committee:
RichardDoumeng, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
NeilForrester, Azingo Hospitality
Gilda Gumbs, Samuel, AnguillaHotelandTourismAssociation
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors
Thank you to our Patrons
