Over 90 young people recently graduated from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Cadet Corps programme with enhanced communication skills, improved attitudes, and a better understanding of the importance of the tourism industry to the country.
Launched in 2003 by the then Director of Tourism Shirlene Nibbs, the annual youth programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism is designed to educate secondary and tertiary students about all aspects of the very vital tourism industry, a release said.
In delivering the feature address, general manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority Darwin Telemaque congratulated the graduates and challenged them to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge of the industry to make positive contributions to the development of Antigua and Barbuda.
“I encourage you to use what you have learned during your training and build on it,” Telemaque told the graduates.
“Opportunities are limitless and we are depending on you the youth to take up the mantle as we strive to build a stronger tourism product.”
Minister of Tourism and Investment Charles Fernandez also congratulated the cadets during the special ceremony commemorating the end of their eight months of training.
“You are the future of tourism, and with your new passion for the industry following your training and internship, I am now confident that Antigua and Barbuda will have an even stronger tourism sector in years to come,” he said.
Cedric Park of Antigua Grammar School received the Tourism Cadet of the Year Award and the Latoya Baltimore Spirit Award. He said the programme has helped to shape the cadets into well-rounded individuals.
Also in the Tourism Cadet of the Year category, Delon Edwards of All Saints Secondary School placed second and Romario Hughes of Jennings Secondary School was third.
Tristan Mapp of the Antigua Grammar School received the Cadets Choice Award.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Cadet Corps programme, which has inspired young people to develop a passion to enhance the tourism product and to build character through internship, has evolved significantly since its inception, the release stated.
Throughout the eight-month period, professionals in various tourism fields were invited to share their expertise with the cadets.