Mrs. Dawn Hodge-Connor – an employee at Viceroy Resort Anguilla is the recipient of the 2012 Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation Scholarship sponsored by CIBC First Caribbean International Bank.
The Scholarship is tenable at the Anguilla Community College.
Speaking at the official Foundation Scholarship presentation ceremony on Thursday 12th July President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association Delroy Lake applauded Mrs Hodge-Connor for being the recipient of the Award.
“Today we are rather proud of the recipient of this award Mrs Dawn Hodge-Connor and wish good luck as she pursues an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management. Tourism isAnguilla’s only industry. It is an industry where we not only sell the physical aspects of our island like beaches, hotels, and restaurants but we also sell a service. In order for us to provide that service our employees must be trained,” explainedLake.
“The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation- CHTAEF is at the forefront of doing this in theCaribbean. Much of the money raised by this organization…..is done through donations from organizations like Virgin Holidays, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Interval International, CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, and many other huge organizations,” said Lake.
However he cautioned the industry workers that the road to success is not always easy and there is a need to work hard.
“The sky is the limit as to how far one can go in the hospitality industry in Anguilla,”Laketold the gathering of hospitality workers.
Meanwhile representative of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation Mrs. Sherille Hughes says the organization is pleased this year that one of “our Anguillian tourism professionals have again received a scholarship from the Foundation”.
“This year we received over 70 applications, covering 17 Caribbean countries. The committee met in May to review and select the award recipients: 35 promising professionals from 12 countries were ultimately favoured. The awards totalled US$215,100.00” explained Mrs Hughes.
The CHTAEF provides scholarships and special assistance for the education of Caribbean Tourism industry personnel, and students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism.
Part of the mission of this foundation is to provide people throughout theCaribbeanregion with an awareness of the varied career opportunities in the industry, as well as technical and professional development.
Country Manager CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Ms Marie Rey reiterated the regional financial institution’s commitment to the tourism industry and the economy in the region.
“FirstCaribbean International Bank is committed to supporting activities that benefit our region’s tourism industry and consequently, aid the development of our region’s economy. This is why we have invested, over the past three years, in the development of the careers of those persons seeking further educational opportunities in the hotel industry, said Ms Rey.
“To date, we have invested over US$30,000 in funding for scholarships to those persons who have shown immense potential and commitment to the development of the region,” explained the CIBC FCIB Country Head. “Today, we applaud Ms Dawn Hodge-Connor for being the recipient of the CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation Scholarship Award.”
Other officials present who delivered remarks included Parliamentary Secretary Tourism the Honourable Haydn Hughes, and President of the Anguilla Community College Professor Delroy Louden.
Parliamentary Secretary Tourism the Honourable Haydn Hughes told Mrs Dawn Hodge-Connor receiving the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Educational Foundation Scholarship years ago has made a lasting impression on his life.
He advised her to make good use of the scholarship and to make not only her family but all Anguilla proud.
The presentation was also witnessed by several persons drawn from management and staff at the Viceroy Hotel where Mrs. Hodge-Connor works.
– Press Release
