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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, November 28th, 2008 - The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board hosted its 6th Annual Tourism Awareness Conference in the tourist and economic hub Providenciales this week. The conference in a component of the annual Tourism Awareness Week of activities, in its 19th year, ongoing in the country under the theme: 'Empowering the Host Population Through Product Knowledge'.
In today's strongly competitive environment - tourism is everybody's business and our knodwledgeablity and ability to manage wisely, and complement the natural resources – sun, sand, and sea - with which the Turks and Caicos have been richly blessed, will greatly determine its' position in the global scheme of things.
This message, along with the empowerment of Turks and Caicos Islanders to become entrepreneurs of our tourism product - resonated throughout remarks brought in Beaches Resort and Spa' West Caicos Room on Wednesday, November 28th.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Dr. the Hon. Carlton Mills said empowerment comes through education and training; adding that Government has taken on a number of initiatives to empower Turks and Cacios Islanders to realize this and their importance to the industry.
He went on to say that his ministry has collaborated strongly with the TCI Tourism and Hotel Association and like organizations, to ensure that returning students have job placements on graduation. "We recently we formed a joint venture between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Immigration and Labour and the Ministry of Health and Human Services whereby we are going on a registration drive, particularly for students returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands who have studied hospitality and tourism to register with us, so that could work in collaboration with business places here".
In the world today, the TCI has to be competitive, and on the competitive edge noted Dr. Mills. He went on note that whatever capacity a person is employed, they must be positive, and adjust their attitude to the changes affecting the TCI, "In order to realize the importance of this product." His hope is that when the youths of the audience leave the conference that they, like many in the industry, have a new vision, a new outlook of what this product needs to be like.
"In respect of tourism, every organization in the Turks and Caicos has a role to play in helping us manage, develop and market our tourism product," said Mr. Lindsey Musgrove, Director of Tourism, adding that: "no one is left in a vacuum, we're all in this together." He went on to note that Tourism in the Turks and Caicos comprises of four major components: attractions, accommodations, accessibility and amenities, and it was the nine major partners ensure that these managed effectively and seamlessly; with everyone knowing the importance of their rightful role.
Though the TCI has gotten a lot of accolades for like amenities that other destinations offer, Mr. Musgrove stated that we must achieve service excellence. "Because whatever you promise in your advertisement, you must make sure that you deliver it; this is the reason why this year we decided to focus on Sustaining Service Excellence - that way we become more competitive in every aspect of our tourism product." To this end: "we are depending on you, because we cannot all do this by ourselves; we need your help, we need your support, to make TCI the best destination ever and give our visitors the best tourism experience ever."
Keynote speaker, Dr. Linda Williams said that: "In today's world, 'knowledge' is power and the potential of our intellectual product is an area worth advancing." She noted that students are our ambassadors of the TCI, and they have a golden opportunity to represent and promote this country. She then challenged the authority to formally introduce a pre-college orientation programme as part of the bonding agreement for all recipients of national awards for tertiary level education. "More importantly though, intimate involvement of youth encourages ownership and strengthens empowerment of our youths who are really the ones in waiting for a handover of a 'goodly and godly' heritage."
The former Public Service Commission Chair stated that the tourism industry, like no other, is very sensitive to social tensions, "if our social dynamics are weak resulting in social unrest, human rights violations, visitor discord, people will hardly want to be our guests, so investing in social capital is an investment in tourism."
"No government is expected to fix all the ills of its society," said Dr. William, "But these adverse effects can be countered through an on-going education and socialization process so that communities can be mobilized for the inculcating of civic pride and the know how to take advantage of economic opportunities."
Nevertheless, whatever our focus where tourism is concerned, "our goal must always be the greatest possible added value and the improvement of the quality of life of our communities," advised Dr. Williams, as: "At the end of the day, our product can only be as good and as authentic as our people are – a people who know who they are, proud of their heritage, know where they are heading, and with a spirit of determination, vision and confidence, stay the course."
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