The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTA-EF), in collaboration with its corporate partners, have organized a series of training programs to support the development of Caribbean industry professionals.

As part of this initiative, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation in partnership with Virgin Holidays have officially launched the “Heartfelt Guest Care to Welcome the World" training series in Saint Lucia. The Education Foundation has awarded more than US$2 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry.

Chairman of the CHTAEF Karolin Troubetzkoy, explained that Virgin Holidays has been supporting the Education Foundation scholarship program since 2005. She stated that 78 hospitality professionals will get an opportunity to attend the training sessions.

“The training focuses on how to deliver warm, genuine hospitality and care to our guests no matter who they are where they are from, what language they speak, no matter what is their sex, age, or religious background.”

Louise John, facilitator of the program informed that the program will cost $45 US dollars per person.

“It is time for Saint Lucia to embrace this opportunity lead for the OECS and show Virgin Holidays and the (CHTA-EF) that those of us in smaller islands are equally keen to develop our most precious resource—our people.”

The training program will commence on September 16 and culminate on September 19.