Home  Monthly Issue VIRGIN HOLIDAYS CARIBBEAN SCHOLARS CELEBRATE!
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VIRGIN HOLIDAYS CARIBBEAN SCHOLARS CELEBRATE! |
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Thursday, 16 April 2009 |
 (L-R): LOUISE JOHN, CHTA EDUCATION FOUNDATION; NICOYAN JONES; HONOURABLE JOHN MAGINLEY, ANTIGUA MINISTER OF TOURISM & CTO CHAIRMAN; TIFFANY ROBERTS; AND STUART O'BRIEN, VIRGIN HOLIDAYS
The Honourable John Maginley, Minister of Tourism Antigua and Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization congratulated Tiffany & Nicoyan on their success and commented “You have made me very proud for representing the OECS so strongly. As an Antiguan I am thrilled for Tiffany and look forward to what she will bring to the Antiguan tourism product. I know the Minister of Tourism the Honourable Richard Skerritt will be delighted at this success for St. Kitts & Nevis. You have both worked hard through the ranks of various hospitality entities to reach your current supervisory & junior management positions and I feel this opportunity will allow you to pursue your highest goals”.
Amanda Wills, Managing Director Virgin Holidays commented “Virgin Holidays is incredibly proud to be sponsoring both of the 2009 scholarship recipients. This is part of our continued commitment to support Caribbean youth in achieving their full potential and enriching the communities in the region with which we have a long and valued relationship. Tiffany from Antigua and Nicoyan from St Kitts join our three existing degree students, all of whom are studying hard and on track to graduate, paving the way to take a leading role in helping shape the future of Caribbean tourism development.
We are particularly pleased that this year's recipients will be attending The University of The West Indies. This is a first and part of our umbrella objective to keep such projects and their relevance to the Caribbean specifically at the forefront of all activity. This institution has an excellent reputation worldwide and we are pleased to see, on our encouragement, that UWI has recently begun to integrate sustainability modules into its tourism courses. This, we feel, is vital to the long term picture, a picture we are passionate about and committed to. We wish all of our students successful studies and equally accomplished careers in Caribbean tourism”.
Nicoyan & Tiffany wowed Caribbean audiences as they met with media in Antigua and were streamed live across the region. Both were humble & gracious. Nicoyan Jones commented “Tourism is to the Caribbean as oil is to OPEC states. It is the backbone of our economic growth and the pivot of our upward mobility. Our hopes of sustainability rest on a holistic view rooted in creativity, character, imagination, innovation, quality & value”. Tiffany Roberts firmly believes “I have the qualities, but lack the professional qualification that would strengthen my role as a leader and thereby being able to influence, motivate and enable others to contribute at the highest level of excellence”.
Tiffany & Nicoyan made it clear that without the CHTA Education Foundation they would not have been able to develop themselves and pursue tertiary education. Louise John, Trustee CHTAEF was elated at the choices “This is a great day for the Eastern Caribbean and a wonderful affirmation of the excellent reputation and relevance of the University of the West Indies Tourism Management & Sustainability programs. This is a first for the CHTAEF / Virgin Holidays scholarships – we are recognizing working industry professionals rather than entry-level students and giving them the tools to increase their ability to reach their planned & desired goals”. Everyone acknowledged the support of the National Hotel & Tourism Associations in supporting, publicizing and administering the CHTAEF application submissions for their islands.
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