Mrs. Candis Niles has been named to the position of Tourism Education Coordinator, in the Department of Education of the Ministry of Education, with effect from June 20th, 2019. Mrs Niles will report to the Chief Education Officer, and be involved in the creation and coordination of Tourism Awareness Education for all levels of the island’s Primary and Secondary school students, as well as the coordination of training initiatives for the island’s vital tourism industry.
In speaking to the creation of the post, Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism, the Honorable Mr. Cardigan Connor, noted that this is an important step for Anguilla, as we continue to restructure and fortify our island’s overall tourism plant. He added: “In the highly competitive global tourism arena, in which we operate, we must be proactive in seeking out ways in which we can differentiate ourselves from the competition, and the consistent delivery of quality customer service by our people, who fully understand the importance of tourism and of each visitor to our shores, is a great way to make this happen.”
Mrs. Niles, who previously served as Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, holds a Master of Science Degree in Tourism Planning and Development from the University of Surrey, in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. She also holds a Diploma in Education from Cave Hill’s School of Education, and is a Certified Caribbean Hospitality Trainer (CCHT) and a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) with the American School of Hospitality. Prior to her position as Director of Tourism, she served Anguilla as Deputy Director of Tourism, and has held a number of managerial posts in the island’s hospitality sector.
Mrs Niles counts amongst her many achievements the coordination and implementation of the Hello Tourist program, and the HARP program, as well as the coordination of Tourism, Agriculture and Early Childhood Training programs in conjunction with the State University of New York’s Cobleskill Campus .
Mrs Niles, who is also an ordained Minister with the Methodist Church in Anguilla, is looking forward to working with all stakeholders to realize the successful implementation of the National Tourism Education Awareness and Training initiatives which will drive the new programs. She states that she is pleased to be a part of this new, cohesive approach to the education of our children, the next generation of leaders and workers, and the building of tourism awareness for those who provide the skills and services needed to bring the island’s tourism product to life, and make it more accessible and enjoyable to the tourists who choose to come to Anguilla. “We know that our people are our greatest resource, and when we empower them with the knowledge and skills they need, they will inevitably demonstrate the positive attitude upon which our success as a tourism destination and our economic well-being as a nation depends,” she added.
– Press Release
