News
TCHTA Hosts Historical Initiative with CHTA Education Foundation; 415 certified
#TurksandCaicos, November 18, 2022 – The Turks & Caicos hospitality sector has embarked on the journey to heartfelt, supercharged service with the completion of a training series delivered by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation.
Hosted and facilitated by the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), more than 400 employees were taken through the CHTAEF’s signature Caribbean Supercharged Service Training. Sessions dubbed “Heartfelt Guest Care”, “Realistic Leadership”, “Happy Housekeepers”, and “007 Secret Care Agents” saw participation from front-facing and back of house staff from entry level to management from the tourism sector, civil service, and private sector.
The CHTA Education Foundation’s excitement for the success of the partnership has been palpable. “We are incredibly proud of this milestone in our 36-year history and pleased that the Education Foundation was able to deliver a five-week comprehensive training in partnership with TCHTA and the various properties, businesses and government across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The open and honest communication with the team at the TCHTA enabled us to deliver training that met the needs of their member properties and hospitality workers that participated in the program.” said Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chairwoman of the CHTAEF.
As a part of its 30-year anniversary commemoration exercises, the TCHTA facilitated the initiative and hosted the
The high-energy dynamic duo raved about the warm welcome extended to them by everyone they encountered. Commenting on the engagement in the training sessions, they remarked “We have been impressed by the overall willingness of participants to up their game, improve their delivery skills, understand their visitors better; so being able to achieve personal uplifts immediately in their workspaces, that many report have delighted guests and management alike”.
The Certificate Celebration marking the successful end to the training initiative was held on Friday, November 11th in the Messell Ballroom at The Palms. A fitting achievement celebrated during the country’s Tourism Environmental Awareness Month, Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism Hon Josephine Connolly, and visiting EF Trustee, Professor Mike Hampton, attended the event in support of the excited trainees’ accomplishments. In his remarks, Professor Hampton encouraged the trainees “To every participant, remain energized and sparkle in your care to everyone you encounter!”
Stacy Cox, TCHTA CEO shared with media “We were ecstatic to learn from the Education Foundation that Turks & Caicos will be considered trailblazers for our one-of-a-kind tailoring of the EF’s training and having the largest contingent they’ve trained in 36 years. TCHTA members and employers throughout the country have truly shown their commitment to the development of their employees, and there’s no doubt Brand TCI will be all the better for it.” She continued, “We can’t say enough about the effectiveness of this program. Louise and Suzanne delivered the kind of training that is true to the essence of Caribbean service. It’s relatable, and that is why employees are excited to implement what they have learned, and HR Managers have shared that they saw the benefits immediately and are eager for us to do this again soon.”
The TCHTA thanks the Education Foundation and encourages other NHTAs in the region to take advantage of the program. The association extends special appreciation to its members for the continued support shown to building the sustainability and growth of the industry and the country.
PHOTO CAPTION:
We are so proud of each of the 415 participants in our national Caribbean Service Ready training in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Louise John & Suzanne Shillingford-Brooks, take a bow. You Did It! Thank you to the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and all our industry partners. Photo by Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association