CHTA Education Foundation and Virgin Holidays join to offer more “Development Days”
MIAMI (April 4, 2019) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) has doubled the number of training sessions available for hospitality professionals in Barbados, following a surge in demand for the popular initiative, which is supported by Virgin Holidays.
Respected regional hotelier, Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairman of CHTAEF, announced two additional “Development Days” on May 16 and 17, 2019. The May 20 and 21 training sessions were “sold out” within four days of open registration.
Tracking global tourism industry trends and appreciating the importance of meeting the changing needs and expectations of travelers, CHTAEF – in partnership with its corporate partners – launched a series of training programs last year to support the development of Caribbean industry professionals.
The upcoming training sessions, “Heartfelt Guest Care to Welcome the World”, are open to Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association members.
The sessions provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to perfect the customer service experience, while also stressing the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Following the pilot programme last October, managers noticed changes in the way many of their team members interacted with guests, as they displayed more empathy and compassion, which resulted in increased satisfaction scores from visitors.
On assuming the leadership of CHTAEF last summer, Troubetzkoy noted that it was her mission to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of national hotel and tourism associations across the region by offering more training opportunities.
“We are thankful to the enthusiastic participants who have taken part in the program in Barbados and Aruba, and are indebted to Virgin Holidays for its visionary leadership and commitment to delivering high levels of customer service, but more importantly, for investing in the Caribbean’s most valuable resource – our people,” she commented.
She added that Virgin Holidays’ focus on high level training is closely aligned with Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association President Patricia Affonso-Dass’ “People First” platform. “We are delighted we will be able to connect with even more Barbadians next month,” Troubetzkoy concluded.
Registration is open until April 12, 2019.
For further information, visit https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/about-the-foundation/training/ or email louisevirginholidays@gmail.com.
About Virgin Holidays
Virgin Holidays is the UK’s favourite worldwide holiday company. Founded in 1985 on the Virgin principles of excellent customer service, value, reliability, responsibility and a sense of fun, it has used its entrepreneurial heritage and passion for innovation to benefit customers and communities around the world. The brand is particularly known for the ‘magic touches’ it has brought to market. From the world’s first dedicated airport leisure lounges to the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean, Virgin Holidays puts its customers and the communities it works with at the heart of its commitment to do things differently. In 2015, it was voted Best Large Holiday Company to the USA, Canada and the Caribbean for the fourth consecutive year at the prestigious, consumer-voted, British Travel Awards. For more information, contact press.office@fly.virgin.com.
About CHTA Education Foundation
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established 30 years ago as a stand-alone 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance are available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism. The Education Foundation has awarded more than US$2 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry. For more information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/about-the-foundation, call +1 305 443-3030 or email foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.