BHTA empowering young people to face the difficult times ahead

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) is taking active steps to empower young professionals in the local tourism industry, so that they can better handle the challenges which may confront the tourism sector, going forward.

Senator Rudy Grant, CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) noted the need to utilise and empower young leaders in the sector, during the media launch of the BHTA’s Young Leaders Development Programme just yesterday, which was conducted over the Zoom online platform.

During that session, it was revealed by Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Stephen Austin that twelve young talented professionals who have a passion for the tourism industry will now lead the way in helping to assist and support the development of the Association and this island’s tourism sector, by extension. Jamal Griffith, who serves as Barbados’ representative on the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Young Leaders Committee, will take charge as the BHTA Young Leaders Committee Chairman.

“The reality is, given the COVID-19 environment in which we now confront, I think we are putting all the measures in place to ensure that we are able to adapt and as we seek to adapt to this new environment, it is important that we are able also to empower those of you who are young in the industry, in better understanding the challenges that we face today and also preparing you for whatever challenges may come tomorrow,” he remarked.

“This is an industry that is people centered. This is an industry that is focused significantly on ensuring that persons have exceptional experiences. Of course, all of you are very aware of what we have to offer here in this industry, very aware of the product offerings, aware of the physical attributes that we have, aware of the cuisine that we have, boasting that we are the culinary capital of the Caribbean and all of you therefore have a good sense of understanding of this industry and we are certainly, from the BHTA’s perspective, looking forward to working and collaborating with you, for you and us to be developing and growing, as we learn more about this very important and critical industry,” Senator Grant told the 12 young leaders.

“I am sure that you will find this to be a very exciting time. You will find it to be a time where, as we face the newhat those new realities will allow us to engage in continuous discussion and to find the best way forward as to how we can reposition this industry, to ensure its continued sustainable development” he further commented.

Grant, in suggesting where a critical area of focus needs to be, meanwhile noted the need for the tourism sector to strengthen linkages with other local sectors, in the interest of helping those sectors to also offer opportunities to really have the kind of development the tourism sector does, in terms of contributing to the economy, as it relates to the earning of foreign exchange, the creation of jobs and significantly contributing to the country’s gross domestic product. (RSM)