CTO launches Tourism Education for the Caribbean: Learning Series

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is developing a greater awareness of tourism in students at all levels in primary schools across the region.

This is being achieved through the “Tourism Education for the Caribbean: Learning Series”, which was officially launched at Hillaby/Turners Hall Primary School, earlier this week.

CTO’s Tourism Education for the Caribbean is a digital learning series of four E – Workbooks, Activities and Videos designed for use by teachers, and students ages six to 11.

Bonita Morgan, CTO’s Director of Resource Mobilization and Development recalled that initially they created workbooks and modules on all that tourism has to offer, however she admitted that the Agency recognised the need to “change with the times” and therefore produce materials that are more appealing to young people. Explaining that tourism is important to the entire Caribbean region, Morgan told students, “The earnings that we get from tourism is like our bread and butter, meaning it helps us to really make a living and to improve the quality of life for all of the people of our region”.

“So, it is important for the Caribbean Tourism Organization, working with national partners like the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA), to be able to share information about tourism with you and with your teachers on a regular basis, so that you will understand what this business of tourism is all about,” she said.

Principal of Hillaby/Turners Hall Primary, Angela Edwards commended the CTO’s initiative. She said that since the advent of technology, it was inevitable that schools would have to change their methods of delivery of education.
“No longer could chalk and talk suffice. Almost each child within our schools has a tablet within his or her home, Smart TVs, PS Games and they have cell phones,” she pointed out.

“The teachers today then have to, as young people say, “up de thing” – [improve] their methods as they go into the classroom. Today’s teachers, if they do not do this, will find disinterested children who will be disruptive in classrooms and who will in turn learn nothing – which will lead to frustration for both teachers and students.”

This Learning Series provides tourism education resource materials that are current, visually appealing and fun to use.

Additionally, these audio-visual materials allow students the opportunity to focus on their country and the wider Caribbean, view their country and the region the eyes of the visitors and take pride in what the region has to offer as tourism destinations. (TL)