CDB Funding New Initiative in the Caribbean; Modernising Tourism Education

• The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is collaborating with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in a new initiative to modernise tourism education and workforce development across the Caribbean.
• The project is also aimed at strengthening the Caribbean's competitiveness in an industry vital to its economic stability. The Tourism Human Capital Development Project, funded through CDB's Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network, will allocate about US$400,000 to update training materials, develop workforce management tools, and deliver professional development programmes.
• Titled 'Enhancing the Knowledge and Skills of Tourism Workers in the Caribbean Region', the project aims to bolster the sustainability of the tourism industry, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
• The CDB said that by modernising educational resources, the initiative will enhance tourism curricula, improve workplace management, and expand training opportunities for employers, workers, and entrepreneurs in CTO member countries. 'These efforts will equip industry professionals with the skills needed to adapt to evolving market demands and ensure the sector's long-term resilience,' said Dona Regis-Prosper, the CTO's secretary-general and chief executive officer.
• 'Strengthening our current and future workforce, from students and educators to MSMEs and industry leaders, is key to the sector's growth. Through targeted training, technical assistance, and enhanced educational resources, this project empowers individuals and businesses to elevate industry standards, improve service delivery and drive sustainable tourism development across the region.'

(Source: Trinidad Express Newspapers)