CTO Names George Washington University as Education Partner for Regional Tourism Conference

GW to provide credits for MasterClasses, will also lend tourism expertise

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. October 14, 2008

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, September 16, 2005. (Sept 16, 2005) - The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), has named George Washington University (GW) in Washington D.C., U.S.A., as the official education partner for the 28th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28), the first time the regional tourism body has entered into such an arrangement with any educational institution. As a result of this partnership, delegates completing any of the CEUs, which can use towards any of George Washington University's Event and Tourism Certificate Programmes, which are offered online or in the classroom.

"This partnership with George Washington University is a very important arrangement which enables delegates to CTC to not only enhance their knowledge and skills at the conference but also to have a jump start to their future professional development if and when they desire," said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of CTO. "We are delighted that GW has agreed to partner with us in this regard and we are looking forward to building on this partnership in order to expand educational opportunities for Caribbean tourism practitioners into the future," he added.

Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace said the partnership with GW is in recognition of its international reputation as an excellent provider of quality tourism education, as evidenced by the World Tourism Organization (WTO)'s recognition of GW's Tourism and Hospitality Management programme with its "TedQual" certification, a status for education, training, and knowledge institutions that have achieved the highest quality in the field. CTO is introducing the MasterClasses for the first time, and, in addition to providing CEU's, GW will lend its tourism expertise to these sessions. MasterClasses, led by industry experts who will act as tutors, are being offered in crisis communications, technology, transportation and events management, among others, and are part of the CTC-28 package. However, registration will also be accommodated for individual MasterClasses. An evaluation component will also be built in at the end of every MasterClass to validate the sessions and for future planning.

"George Washington University is thrilled by the opportunity to partner with a prestigious organization like the Caribbean Tourism Organization to deliver this high quality professional event and tourism education to its membership," said Kristin Lamoureux, Director, International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University.

CTO has already secured the commitment of some of the travel industry's leading experts to present at the sessions. CTC-28 is being organised in collaboration with the United States Virgin Islands' department of tourism and will be held at the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort in St. Thomas from October 21-26. Updates and information, including how to register, can be found on www.onecaribbean.org.