BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE future of the nation’s tourism sector has seemingly grown more promising after the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Educational Foundation (CHTAEF) announced that the Federation was able to win two of its tourism scholarships.
Nicoyan Jones of St. Kitts and Mudassar Hanley from Nevis have been announced as this year’s scholarship recipients.
According to Chairman of St. Kitts-Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association Michael Head, Jones was announced winner of the major Virgin Holidays Scholarship, granting him US $5000 for each year of his tertiary-level education at the University of the West Indies, Barbados.
Hanley was awarded a minor scholarship in the amount of US$ 6000 to aid in financing his studies at Southern New Hampshire University.
“This is the first time that St Kitts-Nevis students have been awarded two such high scholarships, and it is even more significant because over 90 applications were received by the Foundation. The Board of Trustees had a very difficult job in making its final selection this year. We wish both students all the best in their studies,” Head said.
The Chairman indicated that the association usually receives about two applications annually, but noted that this year saw nine applicants entering for scholarships. He also stated that this year the Federation received major and minor scholarships – a welcomed improvement from last year’s two minor scholarships.
“The CHTA scholarships are facilitated through the St Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association in St Kitts and Nevis and we are delighted that we have two such students going forward to learn the business of Hotel and Tourism Management,” he stated.
Head noted that after such a significant investment in the nation’s human resources, he hopes the two awardees would be able to return and develop the tourism products available on both islands.
This year’s overall CHTAEF scholarship initiative invested about US $120 000 on 90 applicants from 18 Caribbean countries with hopes of improving the region’s leading industry.
