The 2024 version of the Hello Tourist Program (HTP24) was launched on September 27th in commemoration of World Tourism Day 2023.
World Tourism Day is observed annually on the 27th of September as nations all around the world pause to focus on the importance of Tourism to their national economies and their way of life. This year’s theme, Green Investments: investing in People, Planet, Prosperity speaks to the importance of investing in three vital resources: our human resource, which is our greatest resource (People) our Natural Resources (Planet) and our Fiscal Resources (Prosperity) and since we are called to invest in these areas, we can have the expectation that our Return On Investment (ROI) will be even more beneficial than our initial expenditure in the future.
The HTP24 was launched in a virtual-in person hybrid event that took place at the MVPS from 1:30-2:30 pm. Tourism Education Coordinator, (TEC) Mrs. Candis Niles, shared a presentation with the Grade Six students that highlighted the Day’s theme and gave them the historical background into the importance of the Tourism Education program, whilst highlighting the issues at play which make this program a critical one for the children of today. She shared that as the students prepare to transition from Primary to Secondary Education, they need to be thinking about their future career goals so as to choose the subject options most relevant to their career choices, the majority of which will inevitably be tied to the Tourism Industry as more than 80% of Anguilla’s jobs are linked directly or indirectly to Tourism.
Mrs. Niles explained that the HTP24 would constitute 6 elements, namely the Class Tourism Syllabus as taught by their teacher; Class visits by the TEC who will share various Tourism PIECES, an Anagram representing Issues related to People, Industry and Income, Environment, Culture, Experience and Service; student participation in an Individual Project which permits the students to explore their natural artistic skills and entrepreneurial tendencies through the creation of a piece of artwork fit for sale in a souvenir shop or art gallery; class participation in an Environmentally-themed, or Conservation/Enhancement-based project that must be completed by all class students; an HTP24 Assessment Test; and the Award: An overnight stay at their Sponsor Hotel and a full Excursion day as a Tourist to Anguilla. The anticipated KPI’s are students who are more sensitive to and informed on the importance of Tourism to their national Economy, and their Survival as a people, whilst also understanding the importance of Quality Service to the overall Visitor Experience and the Expectation of Return Visitation.
The students were given the opportunity to hear in-person accounts of the HTP23, from the Sponsor Hotel of the MVPS, Anguilla Great House’s General Manager, Mr. Wilbert Fleming, and past Student of the MVPS, Miss Z’yah Sasso, who intrigued the students with their accounts of last year’s program.
The students were also shown a video compilation of Anguilla’s Inaugural Green Space as an indication of the Government’s response to the WTD 23 theme – GREEN INVESTMENTS: Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity.
At the end of the presentation, the students were engaged in a mini test to evaluate their learning. The students of MVPS who were present responded to the questions with 100% accuracy.
The Tourism Education Unit (TEU) extends thanks and appreciation to all entities who contributed to the Launch of HTP24, specifically to Ms. Carla Harris, Communications Officer, DoE; Mr. Kyrone Smith of Klean Stream LiveStream Services; Mt. Justin Shillingford, Systems Technician DoE, Mrs. Khon Hazell-Fleming, Technology Integration Coach, DoE, and the IT Teachers of our 6 Primary Schools; The Principal and Assistant Principals and Grade Six teachers of our six Primary Schools, especially, Ag. Principal Estelle Carter, Deputy Principal, Itasha Webster-Harrigan, and Grade Six teacher, Krystal Webster of the MVPS; Clarke’s Nursery; HiTek Signs and Designs; Millenium Sounds Audio Services; and all students of Grade 6, especially the students of MVPS.
A special word of thanks is extended to Parliamentary Secretary, the Honourable Mr. Merrick Richardson, for his support and endorsement of the Launch Event, even though, due to mitigating circumstances, he was unable to be present to deliver his remarks to the students on behalf of the Minister of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment, the Honourable Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie. The Program anticipates the engagement of the Ministry with the students at a later date and time within the context of the HTP24.
The program will continue with visits to the classrooms by the TEC during the month of October.
