NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (MARCH 14, 2016) — The following notice refers to scholarships and study grant opportunities for Caribbean nationals of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation member states for studies in tourism.

 

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Scholarship Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships and study grants from Caribbean nationals in CTO member countries. The main aim of the CTO Foundation is to provide opportunities for Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in the areas of tourism, hospitality and language training. 

 

The Foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism.

 

• Scholarships of up to US$12,000 to individuals wanting to study tourism or hospitality at the Master’s (post graduate) level

• Study grants of up to US$2,500 to individuals pursuing tourism/hospitality studies at the certificate, diploma, associate degree or first degree level and to industry personnel who want to gain proficiency in a second language to assist them in their job

• A scholarship of up to US$2,500 is offered in the name of CTO’s Director of Research and Information management, Mr. Arley Sobers, for persons working in local tourism organizations such as the Ministry of Tourism of the Board of Tourism, who wish to strengthen their skills in the areas of research and statistics. Mr Arley Sobers passed away in an untimely manner in 2008. Mr. Sobers dedicated over two decades of his working life in the service of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. He was very determined to ensure that tourism statistical information and research disseminated with respect to the Caribbean was accurate, reliable and properly validated, thus reflecting the very high standards which he demanded of himself and of those who worked with him. He was of high intellect, analytical and very fair in his deliberations with all. From very early on in his career, he clearly recognized tourism’s importance to the economies of the Caribbean and while Mr. Sobers worked primarily in the area of research and statistics, his overall influence and contribution to Caribbean tourism was wide reaching.

 

One of the awardees will be offered a study grant/scholarship in the name of Mrs. Audrey Palmer Hawks who was the past Director General of the Caribbean Tourism Association based in New York, which eventually merged in 1989 with the Caribbean Tourism Research and Development Centre based in Barbados to form the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The association was established in 1951 as part of the U.S.A’s economic development strategy for the Caribbean. Mrs. Hawks was responsible for marketing the Caribbean region as a tourism attraction to travellers in the United States and Canada.

 

Studies can be pursued both within and outside the region. All application forms are available at the CTO website.

 

Interested persons must fill out the forms, supply all necessary information and return them directly to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s headquarters, Ground Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados. Telephone: 246-5242; Fax: 246-3065 by the deadline date of April 29, 2016.

 

Since 1998, the CTO Foundation has provided 101 major scholarships and 141 study grants to deserving Caribbean nationals amounting to just over US$906,000. Major Foundation sponsors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, the CTO chapters worldwide and numerous allied members.