~ Caribbean students graduate with Diploma in Hospitality Leadership ~

May 2, 2024, Montego Bay, Jamaica – In keeping with Sandals Resorts’ mandate to train and develop 400 managers in the next three years, The Sandals Corporate University (SCU) has added another sixteen managers to its growing list of graduates in the Diploma in Hospitality Leadership Programme.

Melissa Migliavacca, valedictorian

The leadership initiative, a partnership with the SCU, Florida International University(FIU) and Accelerating Leaders hosted its second graduation ceremony, at Sandals Barbados which was attended by members of the SCU team, Sandals and Beaches Executives, representatives of FIU and Accelerating Leaders and well-wishers of the graduates.

In his greeting, Dr. Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism expressed his joy in celebrating with the team members. He shared, “all of you embody the spirit of service, innovation and community that is embedded into the DNA of Sandals Resorts International. You’ve demonstrated that true leadership is about more than just guiding others. It’s about inspiring them, lifting them up, and striving for excellence in every endeavour. As you move forward from today, remember that the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired are tools not just for personal success, but for making a difference in the world. The hospitality industry, with its endless challenges and opportunities, awaits your contribution. You are the future of this industry, and we have every confidence that you will lead with integrity, creativity, and compassion.”

Managing Director for Sandals Resorts International, Stephen Blackburne, in his keynote address expressed how impressed he was with the graduates for taking a very calculated approach to their future with the organization. He said, “waiting to be asked is a passive approach. Instead continue to be intentional and proactive in shaping your future and making a meaningful impact wherever you go. I urge you to embrace this moment with pride and excitement. You are not just graduates, you are ambassadors of excellence, emissaries of change and architects of the future.”

Je’mel Francis, club sandals supervisor for Sandals Grande Antigua

Students for cohort B were recruited from Sandals Resorts across St. Lucia, Antigua, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Barbados and Grenada. Cohorts C and D will commence in April and May respectively, and the SCU anticipates that by the end of 2024, five cohorts will earn their diplomas.

To close out the evening on an inspiring note, Sandals Grenada’s Spa Manager, and valedictorian for Cohort B Melissa Migliavacca, took the time in her address to motivate her colleagues as they look towards the future. She said passionately, “it took discipline, dedication and focus as well as effective time management for us to follow through. There were times that we stumbled upon obstacles but giving up was not an option. Lisa Nichols says, that in this life we can choose to be a victim or a victor, the choice is always ours. I’m so glad we’re all standing victorious today because we made the choice to be brave and sign up for this programme and we saw it through to the end.” She concluded by encouraging her colleagues to pay it forward when they return to their operations by helping train team members and cultivating a standard of excellence.

The Diploma in Hospitality Leadership Programme is a six-month long interactive course leveraging workshops, discussion groups, case studies and industry best-practices.  Entry and mid-level managers are challenged to apply new knowledge, gain advanced skills and create positive behaviours as they prepare for the future and continuous achievement of excellence in the industry.

~END~

Captions:

 Header – Proud graduates of Cohort B of the Diploma in Hospitality Leadership come together for their group shot ahead of their graduation ceremony. The cohort consisted of managers from Sandals Resorts to include Grenada, Barbados, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and St. Lucia.

1st insert – Melissa Migliavacca, valedictorian, gave a riveting address on behalf of her colleagues. She encouraged them to return to their resorts and impart what they have learnt to empower their various teams.

2nd insert – Je’mel Francis, club sandals supervisor for Sandals Grande Antigua, paused for a photo with Stephen Blackburne, managing director, SRI as he collected his diploma certificate. The Diploma in Hospitality Leadership Programme is offered by SCU in partnership with Accelerating Leaders and the Florida International University.

#TurksandCaicos, May 2, 2024 – For the fourth consecutive year, Scotiabank Turks & Caicos has secured the ‘Best Bank’ award from renowned North American finance magazine, Global Finance.

The award celebrates banks that demonstrate strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, success in onboarding clients to use digital offerings, growth of digital customers, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from digital initiatives, and website and mobile app design and functionality.

Dr. Suzan Snaggs-Wilson, Managing Director for Scotiabank Turks & Caicos said the bank continues to make significant investments in its digital infrastructure to satisfy its customers’ needs. She further lauded her team’s commitment to the bank’s digital transformation, noting that their encouragement among customers solidified the strong adaptation witnessed.

“At Scotiabank, we remain committed to proactively assessing and working to meet the needs of our customers through accessible and easy-to-use banking solutions that enhance their experience. This award underscores our strategic commitment to advancing accessibility and convenience across our services, and we take great pride in being honored with the esteemed Best Bank award for the fourth time running,” she said.

Dr. Snaggs-Wilson also highlighted the Bank’s convenient and customer-focused approach to banking positively impacted its client interactions and satisfaction.

The annual World’s Best Bank award selects the top performers among banks and other providers of financial services and has become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community. The magazine recognized 28 banks in Latin America and the Caribbean in this year’s 31st announcement.

Scotiabank Turks & Caicos joins its regional counterparts in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and The Bahamas, in receiving the award.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 2nd, 2024 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands (InvestTCI), proudly participated as a platinum sponsor at the Prestigious Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit, held from April 22nd to 23rd, 2024 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami, Florida.

CHRIS is highly regarded as the leading and most noteworthy hotel investment conference for the Caribbean, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and a comprehensive lineup of sessions led by esteemed hotel and financial industry experts. This year, the summit offered invaluable insights into the performance of the Caribbean tourism industry, highlighting its remarkable resilience as it surpassed pre-pandemic growth levels and outperformed the Americas.

More than 400 delegates attended representing over 30 countries, including investors, industry leaders, government tourism officials, and media representatives. Among the notable brands present were Playa Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Sandals Resorts International, IHG Hotels and Resorts, and Club Med.

At the summit, CEO, Mrs. Angela Musgrove delivered a compelling presentation on “Opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” with a focus on the family islands and their unique offerings. CEO Musgrove’s presentation highlighted that outside of Providenciales, there is a world of untapped opportunities that lay in the unspoiled, picturesque islands of Grand Turk, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Salt Cay – the Turks & Caicos’ “family islands”.

Noting that these islands are a collection of ecological magnificence waiting to be transformed, she introduced the audience to the lesser-known side of Turks & Caicos Islands and some of the magnificently tourism-zoned areas that are prime for substantial development. She also highlighted the Turks and Caicos Island’s comparative strengths and reasons to invest, positioning the country as an attractive destination for investment in the Caribbean region.

CEO Musgrove underscored that “Invest Turks and Caicos is diligently pursuing development opportunities for the islands beyond Providenciales. The agency acknowledges the importance of fostering more balanced growth and equitable opportunities across our entire island chain. This strategic focus reflects our commitment to promoting inclusive economic development and maximizing the potential of all islands within the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Accompanying CEO Musgrove were Senior Vice President of Investor Services, Mr. Keno Forbes, and Marketing Support Officer, Mr. Hezron Henry. Mr. Forbes remarked, “CHRIS provides a unique platform to showcase the immense investment potential of the Turks and Caicos Islands to a global audience of industry stakeholders. We are excited to engage with investors and highlight the diverse opportunities available in our thriving market.”

As the premier investment promotion agency of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands remains committed to facilitating sustainable investments and economic growth in the country through strategic collaborations and transparent practices.