TOURISM IS A community effort, so even the smallest ones must be aware of their role.
With this in mind, the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) teamed up with May Hinds Consulting and Ocean Two Resort to inform some primary schoolchildren about the National Tourism Host Programme, entitled Barbados Together.
Hinds, who is an advisor to the task force implementing the host programme, said it would officially launch on October 4, so they were doing a number of activities to raise awareness.
She said Ocean Two focuses on partnerships with schools so it was a natural partnership as schools were an integral place to start.
“We have to get the tourism message at the grassroots level, so the host programme gives us the chance to redefine tourism,” she said.
Operations manager at Ocean Two, Paul Collymore, said the hotel was working with the St Lawrence Primary School as part of a community liaison programme and with Providence Primary as part of its Schools Tourism Education Programme so it invited both schools to take part.
“We are working closely with them to spread the word about tourism. We will also have our heads of department speak about the various careers available,” he said.
Manager of guest experience in the Hosting Bajan Style project of the BTPA, Marsha Alleyne, said there were more than 30 other Caribbean islands vying for tourists and they all had sun, sea and sand to offer, so Barbados had to produce an unmatched customer experience to remain competitive.
“The goal is to transfer knowledge to students for the youth to be the best hosts they can be.
“It takes a community to produce what we have in Barbados.
“Tourists are not just here for the attractions and it is not just persons in the hospitality industry who should be concerned – it is all of us,” she said. (CA)
