A New Push for Tourism Education in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Development Bank are collaborating on a new initiative to modernize tourism education and workforce development across the Caribbean – strengthening the region’s competitiveness in an industry vital to its economic stability.
The Tourism Human Capital Development Project, funded through CDB’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network, will allocate approximately $400,000 for updating training materials, develop workforce management tools and deliver professional development programs, Caribbean Journal has learned.
“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, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “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.”
The project, called “Enhancing the Knowledge and Skills of Tourism Workers in the Caribbean Region,” aims to bolster the sustainability of the tourism industry, particularly for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The idea is to enhance tourism courses, improve workplace management and expand training opportunities for employers, workers and entrepreneurs.
The initiative builds on findings from the 2022 Regional Human Resource Development Knowledge and Skills Audit, which identified critical skills and knowledge gaps in the sector.
It will also update the Barbados-based CTO’s tourism education materials from primary school through to university level, design an online workforce management platform and introduce training focused on digital innovation and leadership.
“We are grateful to CDB, and its CTCS Network, for supporting this initiative to enhancethe competitiveness of the Caribbean tourism workforce and businesses,” Regis-Prosper said.
