TOURISM MATTERS
Growing Interest across the Caribbean in Accredited Diploma for Hospitality Managers
La Cabana - Aruba
The Sheraton - Puerto Rico
Following the recent launch of the UK Accredited CTH Diploma in Management & Leadership for Business and Hospitality, Springboard Caribbean has been delivering Management and Leadership training programs in a range of Caribbean destinations. During the last few months, and in collaboration with partners such as the CHTA, the CHTAEF, Interval International and Tourism Cares, leadership programs have been delivered to hospitality managers in Aruba, Anguilla, St Lucia, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Grenada and USVI. Further programs are scheduled during the remainder of 2019.

The Diploma qualification is accredited by the Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (CTH) and has been designed to help existing and potential supervisors and managers gain formal training and an internationally recognized hospitality management qualification. The CTH is the UK’s leading specialist professional awarding body for qualifications in the hospitality and tourism sector and has strong links with the global hospitality industry. This includes relationships and endorsements from organizations like Virgin Atlantic Airways, GTMC, Star Alliance, Marriot Hotels Caribbean, Radisson Edwardian, Sheraton Hotels and Intercontinental Hotels Group. Its management qualifications are recognized and endorsed by over 25 British and international universities in addition to the IoH (Institute of Hospitality.).
The need for this qualification was highlighted by a study to identify the knowledge and skills that if missing, would negatively impact Caribbean hospitality managers from making a more valuable contribution to the business whilst at the same time, limit their opportunity for career progression.

During 2019, Springboard Caribbean will continue the development and recognition of hospitality managers by rolling out its qualifications to other Caribbean destinations through its strategic educational partnership with the CHTA and in collaboration with National Hotel & Tourism Associations and Caribbean WE
If you are a business or individual interested in gaining the benefits associated with the professional accreditation of managers and supervisors, then please register your interest today in the Diploma in Management & Leadership for Business & Hospitality. This will allow us to confirm the dates and venues for workshops best suited to your location.
Please use the following links to register your interest in the diploma program or obtain details of the study :

Saint Lucia Set to Welcome Direct American Airlines Flight from Chicago
“This is American Airlines’ continued belief in Saint Lucia and its product. The flight is without minimum revenue guarantee as we have proven that with the refocused marketing of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority we can build confidence to invest in sustainable getaways.”  Said Tourism Minister, Honourable Dominic Fedee.”
 
American Airlines Flight 1910 will depart Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) at 8:20 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) beginning on December 21 and will arrive in Saint Lucia at 3:50 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT)... Read More
Building High Performing Teams Through Effective Performance Management
Building High Performing teams is an informative, interactive and engaging workshop that examines the significance of High Performing Teams and the key steps required to build and maintain teams that drive business success.  
Participants will learn about the psychology of teams and the importance of investing time, energy and effort in building HPTs as well as how to use effective performance management tools and techniques to improve individual and organisational performance.
Topic areas will include:
•         Building blocks of high performing teams
•         Understanding and applying team psychology
•         Creating a balanced and diverse team
•         Applying a systemic approach to effectively improve performance
•         Goal setting, feedback, coaching and performance reviews.
 
This is the fourth in a series of eight management and leadership development units to be offered by the SLHTA. Alongside the individual certificates for each unit, participants who choose to go on and complete six of these seven units are awarded the Institute of Hospitality endorsed Certificate in Management and Leadership.
 
These units are designed to fill the gaps in knowledge, skills and abilities that research has identified are often missing but are essential for both new and existing Caribbean supervisors and managers. These workshops assist managers and supervisors in making a real contribution to their business and helps advance their career prospects in the hospitality industry.
 
The SLHTA has partnered with Springboard Caribbean and the Institute of Hospitality to provide the Certificate in Management and Leadership for its members. Each unit in this program is individually certificated, can stand on its own, and has been specifically contextualized for the Caribbean Hospitality industry. Units are delivered in a relevant and practical way, ensuring participants can immediately apply what they have learned back in the workplace.
 
The cost of the workshop is EC $523.15 inclusive of VAT for SLHTA Members and EC $590.65 inclusive of VAT for non-SLHTA Members and must be paid in advance in order to secure your spot.

Training sessions will take place on 13 th  June, 2019 from 9a.m. – 4 p.m. at the SLHTA Hospitality Training Centre.
 
“Please note that 48 hours’ cancellation notice is required. Any cancellation not provided within the 48 hour period will result in the full charge.”

Kindly reach out to Nikka Swanson at  membership@slhta.com,  for further information on the program, or feel free to contact her at 285-4443 or 453-1811.
THE IDEAL EMPLOYEE
We all would like to hire the ideal Employee; one who will rise to the occasion at all cost. A good employee will get the job done while an ideal one gets it done in spite of any and everything – including when priorities and schedules shift. The ability to think on their feet, being self-motivated and are good problem solvers.
Here are 5 tips on essential qualities which an ideal employee should possess:
  • Communication skills – One should have the ability to covey information effectively and efficiently
  • Customer service skills – This also goes hand in hand with good communication skills as the employee should have good listening skills so they can understand the customers needs and directly address that need.
  • Ability to learn and evolve – Having the ability to break personal barriers, improving on oneself and by extension achieving organizational goals.
  • Interpersonal skills – Where one has the qualities and comportment to interact with persons appropriately.
  • Team player involvement – This employee would work well as a member of a team or group. Less of “I” and more of “WE”.
Hope this helps you in identifying and hiring the “Ideal Employee”. They do exist!!!

Donette Ismael appointed as
Tourism Enhancement Fund's new Programme Manager

SLHTA's Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) welcomed Ms. Donette Ismael to its management team on May 2, 2019. Still committed to the mandate of playing an integral role in Saint Lucia's sustainable development, the TEF has brought Ms. Ismael on board to oversee and monitor the accounting, project administration and strategic directions associated with the management of the Fund.

Ms. Ismael, who served as the former Agricultural Liason Officer for the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), says she has a strong passion for Saint Lucia's tourism industry and the work of the TEF. She is looking forward to applying her communication skills to help foster important dialogue between the TEF, its stakeholders and policymakers.

Established as a subsidiary of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association in 2013, the TEF has made several contributions through socio-economic and product development projects. Financed via a voluntary contribution by visitors to Saint Lucia the TEF comprises, the team of trustees—which includes key members from both the private and public sectors—direct these funds to human resource development and environmental projects, some of which include but are certainly not limited to the Wilton's Yard After School Training project, the Agri-Symposium, the Apprenticeship Program, Chefs in Schools Program and the Virtual Agricultural Clearing House Program.

According to Ms. Ismael, one of her key aims with her new position is to apply focus to local communities. "The TEF has always tackled issues from a national perspective and in some instances, people aren't aware of the work the Fund does. I am looking forward to advancing more community-based initiatives and really making the TEF a household name."

Speaking to Ms. Ismael's suitability, SLHTA officials shared, "The TEF wants to greater position itself to have a positive impact on the industry and the destination and Ms. Ismael has always demonstrated a passion to localize the benefits of the tourism industry.”

With the addition of Ms. Ismael's expertise and enthusiasm, the TEF will strengthen its ability to fulfill its purpose and objectives, positively impacting the lives of Saint Lucia's current and future generations by funding projects and initiatives that will create sustainable livelihoods in local communities. 
SLHTA New Member Company

The Joseph Dolor Insurance Agency is the exclusive agent for Pan American Life Insurance Company of the Eastern Caribbean Ltd., a member of the Pan American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) – a specialist Life and Health Insurance Company with a strong heritage and financial stability operating in over 22 countries throughout the Americas, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The agency helps individuals and businesses effectively identify, prioritise and quantify the hazards and treat to their financial security and develop tailored programs to mitigate those risk.

It offers a holistic approach to personal financial planning focusing on Final Needs at Death, Disability Income and Retirement Planning... Read More