By Guy Britton
CJ Contributor

SAN JUAN — Tourism: it’s the largest single economic driver in the Caribbean, and promoting its continued development remains one of the most crucial objectives for the wider region.

That’s why the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has its CHTA Education Foundation, which, since 1987, has helped educate industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism.

It’s a foundation whose goal has been aimed at one target: ensuring that the next wave of tourism professionals and leaders are adequately prepared and educated for the future.

Since 1987, the Education Foundation has awarded around $2 million in scholarships and grants to qualified applicants dedicated to the hotel and tourism industry.

In the last year, the foundation has awarded $136,308 in scholarships to 29 Caribbean nationals pursuing a higher education or professional development in the industry.

“This year’s applicant pool was comprised of a talented group, all of whom deserve to receive funds towards their education so that they may become productive individuals working in the vital Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Richard Kahn, the chairman of CHTAEF. “We are only limited by the funds we’ve been able to generate from corporate donors such as Interval International, Virgin Holidays and FirstCaribbean International Bank as well as The New York Times Travel Show auction where hotel stays are donated from across the Caribbean.”

The scholarship recipients, who come from across the Caribbean, are either just launching their studies in tourism or continuing their education.

They are awarded based on either prior academic work or internships in the industry.

For the full list of scholarship recipients this year, see below:

• Kim Blaize (Anguilla) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Associate Science Hospitality & Tourism Management, Anguilla Community College
• Derry-Ann Adams (Antigua) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Gabrielle Thomas (Antigua) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, Associate Degree Baking & Pastry Arts, Johnson and Wales
• Chara Darceuil (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, BS Hotel Management, Florida International University
• Kirvez E. Ferguson (Bahamas) – FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Brittany Hanna (Bahamas) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, BS Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Rache Josey (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Kara Manouzi (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, Master of Science, Hospitality Management, Florida International University
• Nastassia Sears (Bahamas) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, B.S. Culinary Arts with major in Resort Management, Johnson and Wales, North Miami
• Latreia Smith (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Associate Pastry Arts, Johnson and Wales
• Domonique Sturrup (Bahamas) FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, BS Baking and Pastry Arts, Johnson and Wales, Providence
• Kenia Taylor (Bahamas) – Interval International scholarship, BS Hotel Management, Florida International University
• Blaire Thompson (Bahamas) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Bachelor Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales, North Miami
• Christine Gibson (Barbados) – FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, Hospitality Studies, Barbados Community College
• Deidre Small (Barbados) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, Master of Science in Tourism & Events Management, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill
• Jovari Hagley (Grenada) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, B.Sc. Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of the West Indies St. Augustine, Trinidad
• Jannel Johnson McQueen (Grenada) – Interval International scholarship, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Florida International University
• Kareen Etienne (Haiti) – Interval International scholarship, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Florida International University
• Brittany Ho (Jamaica) – Interval International scholarship, Hospitality Management, Florida International University
• Kelsey Girod (Jamaica) – Virgin Holidays scholarship, BS Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Jordan Richards (Jamaica) – Inteval International scholarship, Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales
• Josh Parkins (Jamaica) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Culinary Arts & Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales, Providence
• Alejandra Calvillo (Puerto Rico) – Interval International scholarship, Travel & Tourism and Hospitality Management, Johnson and Wales
• Druso Daubon (Puerto Rico) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America
• Patricia Diaz Centeno (Puerto Rico) – Interval International scholarship, B.Sc. Hospitality Administration, Boston University
• Jael Avion Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago) – FirstCaribbean International Bank scholarship, AIB BA Business Administration Tourism and Hospitality Management, Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality Institute
• Shandelle Edwards (Trinidad & Tobago) – Interval International scholarship, Tourism and Hotel Management, Johnson and Wales, North Miami
• Sara Jagdip (Trinidad & Tobago) – CHTAEF general scholarship, BS Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales
• Sarita Singh (Trinidad & Tobago) – CHTAEF general scholarship, Tourism and Hotel Management, Mount St. Vincent University