Heteleria

Report of

Caribbean Tourism Human Resources Think-Tank

“Developing a World Class Tourism Workforce”

5-6 June 2008

Accra Beach Hotel & Resort Barbados

Caribbean Tourism Human Resources Think-Tank, “Developing a World Class Tourism Workforce” 5-6 June 2008,Accra Beach Hotel & Resort, Barbados

Contents
Acknowledgements................................................................................................ 1 1. Terms of reference ...................................................................................... 2 1.1 Workshop Objectives 1.2 Workshop Areas 2 Definition of Terms ...................................................................................... 3 3 Identification of Key Themes....................................................................... 4 4 Six Key Themes........................................................................................... 5 4.1 Re-define and enhance the profile of tourism and hospitality 4.2 Creation of a new enabling environment 4.3 Continuous education, training and development 4.4 Recruitment, retention and recognition 4.5 Leadership 4.6 Research 5 Strategy – Aims and Objectives................................................................ 18 5.1 Re-define and enhance the profile of tourism and hospitality 5.2 Creation of a new enabling environment 5.3 Continuous education, training and development 5.4 Recruitment, retention and recognition 5.5 Leadership 5.6 Research 6. Good Practices and Other Presentations ................................................. 22 7. List of Participants..................................................................................... 22

Caribbean Tourism Human Resources Think-Tank, “Developing a World Class Tourism Workforce” 5-6 June 2008,Accra Beach Hotel & Resort, Barbados

Acknowledgements The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) would like to express its sincere thanks to all persons who made this Think Tank a reality and whocontributed to its outputs. Firstly, we would like to recognize the Commonwealth Secretariat, which readily agreed to support this activity. Mrs. Chanda Musonda-Chellah, Adviser (Trade) in the Special Advisory Services Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat deserves special mention for agreeing to present this project to her principals, for getting the approval, helping with the securing of thefacilitator, and providing input into the development of the two-day programme, as well as giving a very well received presentation on “Good Practice Case Study of the Public Sector Role in Tourism Human Resources Development: Mauritius.” Her programme assistant, Mrs. Isatu Tholley must also be recognized for the strong administrative support she provided to the staging of the Think Tank, as well asCTO’s Mrs. Marvelle Sealy, of the Human Resources department. The facilitator, Professor Nigel Hemmington from the University of Bournemouth, U.K., lent his vast experience and considerable knowledge to the discussions and very ably managed the two day activity. His presentation entitled “From Service to Experience; Understanding the Role of People in the Tourism Business” provoked new thinking withrespect to how we view the hospitality business and implications for the management of such. His putting together of the Strategy Document, which helps to map the way forward, was greatly appreciated. Special mention must also be made of Mr. Frank Comito, Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association who readily agreed to share his experiences regarding the private and public sector,working together to address the human resource needs in the Bahamas. CTO’s Secretary General, Mr. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace lent his support to this activity by endorsing the idea and by being an active participant in the discussions. Other colleagues at the CTO, Mr. Winfield Griffith and Mr. Stephen Aymes were also very much involved in helping to compile and send out an electronic survey,...