from left: Sonia Beharry, Trinidad - Rhozi Williams, Dominica – Tom Pas CHTAEF – Shelly-Ann Stanislaus, St. Lucia – Jonathan Winfield, Virgin Holidays – Maxine Pierre, Grenada

Virgin Holidays today announced the 2009 Virgin Holidays / CHTA EDUCATION FOUNDATION scholarship. Nationals from Virgin Holidays Caribbean destinations are eligible to apply for the scholarship that must be used towards a management-focused degree course that includes a Sustainable Tourism module. Ideally the degree will be in Sustainable Tourism, International Tourism or Hospitality and must begin in 2009.

Virgin Holidays & CHTAEF support degree courses at University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad & Tobago Hospitality Institute (TTHTI), Florida International University, Johnson & Wales Miami & Charlotte campus and will consider other institutions based on course content & international standing of the institution.

Virgin Holidays encourages existing industry professionals and young people with basic tourism experience, such as a vacation job with a hotel, resort, airline, ground handler or tourism service provider to visit the CHTAEF website at http://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/CHTAEFapplication.php for full details, an Info-Sheet and an application form. Applicants may request info-sheet & application form by e-mailing foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com or asking their National Hotel Association. Closing date for applications is 16th March 2009.

Virgin Holidays has partnered with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association EDUCATION FOUNDATION (CHTAEF) since 2005 and award an annual scholarship worth US$30,000 over 3-years of study. Previous Virgin Holidays Scholars are Rhozi Williams - Dominica, Sonia Beharry -Trinidad & Tobago, Shelly-Ann Stanislaus – St. Lucia and Maxine Pierre – Grenada. All are driven professional young women who are passionate about using their knowledge, energy and expertise within the region, be it at a governmental or NGO level, increasing cultural tourism into mainstream hospitality or entering mid-level management programs within a resort and proving their ability to achieve General Manager status.

Commenting on the scholarship programme, Jonathan Winfield, Responsible Business Executive at Virgin Holidays UK, said:

“Virgin Holidays has a long term interest in the further economic development of the Caribbean and is proud to be able to support this successful programme which will empower young people to be able to take a leading role in managing the region’s tourism industry.”

Valere Tjolle