By Kisean Joseph
Hundreds of job seekers eager to explore the hospitality sector attended the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association’s (ABHTA’s) first job fair for the year last week.
Shanicia Durand, a student services assistant at ABHTI, described the event held at the Multipurpose Center as a significant gathering, which featured approximately 30 hotels conducting on-site interviews.
“We have many persons who would have applied before coming today, so they are coming prepared with their resumes. As well as persons who are just seeing the flyers, and we have a couple of walk-ins,” Durand explained.
The fair’s impressive turnout – with an estimated 500 attendees throughout the day – underscores the critical role tourism plays in Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. Durand highlighted the industry’s current challenge, “We have a lot of vacancies but not enough persons are applying. So, this job fair will basically cover our footsteps just to ensure that our tourism industry, which is our main industry, is covered and we have professionals who are coming into the industry as well.”
For job seekers like Jaraine Manning, the fair presented an invaluable opportunity to pursue a career in hospitality. Manning, who learned about the event through social media, expressed her passion for the industry: “I love hospitality. I love working in the industry. I love interacting with people, and guests. I’m all about guest experience.”
The event also attracted young professionals looking to pivot their careers within the tourism sector. Joshua Vancooten, previously an entertainment coordinator at St James’s Club, attended the fair in search of new challenges.
“I’m still interested in working with people. I do enjoy putting smiles on faces. So, I was thinking about bartending, maybe having a change,” Vancooten said.
Recognising the importance of ongoing education in the field, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus was also present at the job fair. Adeola Matthew, the Recruitment and Retention Manager at UWI, emphasised the significance of their tourism and hospitality-themed programmes.
“We think it’s important to let them know what is available so that they can continue to develop themselves as tourism and hospitality professionals here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Matthew stated.
UWI offers a Bachelor’s in Tourism and Hospitality for those seeking to specialise in the field, as well as a management degree with a minor in Tourism and Hospitality. These programmes aim to equip professionals with the skills needed to advance in their careers, ensuring they’re not “necessarily just stuck at the entry-level jobs,” as Matthew put it.
As the sector continues to grow, events like this play a crucial role in connecting eager job seekers with employers, while also promoting educational opportunities that support long-term career development in hospitality and tourism.
With the positive response to this year’s event, organisers are already looking forward to an even bigger turnout next year, solidifying the job fair’s place as an essential annual event in Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism calendar.
