CTO Foundation Honors Jean Holder by Dedicating its Newest Scholarship to His Memory

The CTO Foundation – the charity that funds Caribbean nationals pursuing further studies in tourism and related subjects – will honour the memory of the late Jean Holder, the first secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with its newest scholarship.

The foundation is introducing the Jean Holder Memorial Scholarship of up to US$7, 500 to a Caribbean national seeking to enhance their skills in any area of sustainable tourism development.

Recognised globally as the father of Caribbean tourism development, Mr. Holder, who died in January 2022, played a critical role in changing the course of Caribbean tourism. He dedicated over 30 years of his professional life to the development and expansion of the sector in the region by charting its path towards becoming the primary foreign exchange earner and the engine of economic growth.

Among his many priorities were ensuring the region’s tourism sector became sustainable, and helping Caribbean nationals understand that employment in the tourism industry provided a career of service. He stressed the need for Caribbean children to be taught the importance of tourism from a very early age and pioneered the eco-tourism conference, which later became the Sustainable Tourism Conference

“Jean Holder was a champion of tourism education at all levels in the Caribbean and an architect of the CTO Scholarship Foundation. He was also a relentless advocate for sustainable tourism in all its forms. Therefore, it is fitting that we name this scholarship after him in honour of the yeoman service he gave to Caribbean tourism for over three decades,” said Jacqueline Johnson, chairman of the CTO Foundation and CEO of MarryCaribbean.com, a division of Global Bridal Group “The foundation is thankful to Mr. Holder’s children for allowing us to recognise his contribution in this way.”

Applicants may also apply for the Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship, the Audrey Palmer Hawks Memorial Scholarship, the Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship or a study grant.

The CTO Scholarship Foundation is a 501 (C) (3) entity established in 1997. Its main aim is to provide opportunities for Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in the areas of tourism and other tourism-related disciplines, including hospitality and language trainin