Caribbean Told Sun, Sea and Sand Are No Longer Good Enough

The Caribbean tourism sector can no longer be content with the traditional sea, sun and sand and the industry must contribute to the quality of life of the region’s peoples, tourism human resource professionals and managers were told late last week.

With rapid change in technology and with the customer becoming more demanding, Caribbean professionals must also place greater emphasis on training and on discovering culture-specific industries, Elie Califer, Vice President of the Tourism Commission of Guadeloupe told more than 75 delegates gathered at the Arawak Hotel here for the opening of the 3rd Tourism Human Resources Conference.

“Given that the world is constantly changing, sand, the sea and the palm trees have now become insufficient. We must explore other areas to develop the industry,” Mr. Califer said.

The tourism official stressed the region’s rich cultural heritage and oral traditions, saying these must be paraded to the rest of the world as a means of ensuring that communities are involved in and benefit from tourism.

“We have several monuments which attest to our countries’ histories. Our cultural heritage is very rich and we also have a strong oral tradition,” Califer said. “The diversity can be included in a development strategy for a multi destination tourist industry and an asset for our region.”

This was also emphasized by Josette Borel-Lincerti, President of the Guadeloupe Tourist Board, who noted that the region would have gone a long way towards achieving sustainable tourism if it successfully exploits its cultural heritage for the benefit of its people.

“We in the tourist industry must ensure the industry continues to provide favorable conditions for our citizens and a lasting economy in terms of employment,” she said. “We need to ensure that the Caribbean is not only appreciated for the quality of its beaches but also for the human resource potential that we have and for our culture and heritage.”

Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Guadeloupe Tourist Board, the Guadeloupe Hospitality Institute and the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, the conference brought together tourism and hospitality educators, trainers, human resource professionals/consultants and managers with responsibility for human resources across the region.

Participants attending the June 27 to 29 conference themed, “Leading Change in Tourism Within a Dynamic, Global Environment,” debated issues like embracing change and shared leadership and empowerment, in workshops led by Caribbean university lecturers.

Plenary sessions dealt with strengthening Franco-Caribbean tourism relations; how the digital revolution shifts information and power toward the consumer; changing patterns in the world of work; and the present and future human resource needs.

Delegates also looked at good practices in community based tourism, how to develop a tourism program network and how to develop instructional material. A “Sharing Session” gave delegates an opportunity to showcase innovative activities and programs within and outside the region.

The 3rd Tourism Human Resources Conference was funded in part by the European Union within the framework of the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Program.