News
Nearly 1000 Hospitality Employees Supercharged Through TCHTA Collaborative Training Series
#TurksandCaicos, July 7, 2023 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) proudly announces the successful completion of its second round of training in the pursuit of heartfelt, supercharged service. The training series, delivered by the esteemed Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s Education Foundation (CHTAEF), has empowered and elevated a cohort of 525 individuals in the industry, resulting in a combined near-1000 trained since the start of the historical collaboration in late 2022.
Hosted and facilitated by the TCHTA, the comprehensive training program included front-facing and back-of-house staff. Participants ranged from entry-level employees to management, reflecting a commitment to fostering excellence at every industry level.
Under the expert guidance of the Education Foundation, the training series was comprised of captivating sessions such as “Strengthened Supervisors,” “Healthy Management”, and “Food Safety”. A special module tailored to sensitizing Security Personnel in the tourism and customer service spaces was also held, all under the umbrella of the Caribbean Supercharged Service Training Series. These modules gave participants invaluable skills to deliver exceptional service experiences, ensuring a lasting impression on visitors and customers.
The program’s Certificate Celebration saw a visit from Education Foundation Trustee Ernest Dwight, who commended the teams on their “willingness to play their part in delighting customers and owners through
Held at the Brighter Futures Center on Leeward Highway, Minister of Tourism Honourable Josephine Connolly, TCHTA President James McAnally, TCHTA People Development Committee Co-Chair Stacey-Ann Albert, and TCHTA CEO Stacy Cox all extended congratulatory remarks to the group of celebrants while the ever-dynamic Facilitator Louise John moderated the event. The venue proved nostalgic, as it was the space used to facilitate the centralized training sessions throughout the seven weeks.
Sailrock Resort Operations Manager and TCHTA People Development Committee Co-chair Stacey-Ann Albert shared her feelings about the celebration, “Our association is committed to promoting excellence in the industry, and today is a testament to that.” She continued, “The certificates received represent a milestone in the participants’ professional journeys, signaling their growth and a commitment to providing exceptional service.”
TCHTA CEO Cox delivered a charge to the room, “The TCHTA has a mandate of educating not only the hospitality industry, but beyond. We want to foster a culture of training throughout Turks & Caicos. You are now entrusted to take what you have learned from the training and spread it throughout your circles and spheres of influence”.
During their time in the destination, facilitators Louise John and Suzanne Shillingford-Brooks were graciously hosted by Sailrock Resort in South Caicos, The Sands at Grace Bay, H20 Life.Style.Resort, Tides Grace Bay, Grace Bay Club, Ocean Club Resort, The Shore Club, The Somerset, and Barbetta Restaurant. The Association shared thanks to these properties and businesses for their support.
Reflecting on the overall initiative TCHTA President McAnally said, “This is a noteworthy accomplishment for Turks & Caicos and aligns with our Association’s mission to build meaningful relationships that will propel us forward as a destination and a brand. Our people and the service they deliver lie at the core of that goal, so we take education and development very seriously and are proud of this collaboration.”
The TCHTA expresses its gratitude to members for their dedication to the sustainability and growth of the industry through people development. Photos from the closeout ceremony can be found on the organization’s website at www.turksandcaicoshta.com.