Oranjestad – As announced recently during Ursell M. Arends’ speech at the University of Aruba, the Aruba Timeshare Association has provided the university with all information, regarding the application process for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s Education Foundation Scholarship funds.
Over the years ATSA members in Aruba have continuously supported the CHTA Education Foundation Scholarship application process. The interest level last year was very robust and the Foundation screened and reviewed over 90 candidates. With the continued support of members, a similar level of interest is anticipated this year.
As of immediately, the application process is open and interested students may approach Jo-Anne Croes, University of Aruba, FHTMS, for more information.
The CHTAEF was established in 1986 as a stand-alone 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Its mandate is to improve and raise the quality and professionalism of the hotel and tourism industry in the Caribbean through education and training. CHTAEF is one of the largest charitable programs in the Caribbean hospitality industry, having raised and awarded more than US$2 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry in the region.
Scholarships are awarded to applicants attending accredited tourism and hospitality institutions around the world, and in partnership with academic institutions such as Johnson & Wales University, Monroe College and Florida International University which provide additional scholarship support to eligible CHTAEF scholarship students.
CHTAEF also funds certifications and accreditation programs for established regional industry professionals. In conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, certification programs are now being refined, redeveloped and funded to support the Foundation’s primary objective on continually elevating the industry’s professionalism. These shorter courses provide immediate, tangible results for the industry due to the nature of their tailored and specific coursework. More information about these credentialing programs will be ongoing, and ATSA is committed to the distibution of information.
During the recent Second Academic Economic Forum hosted at the University of Aruba, Dean Wardlaw confirmed that just 10% of university students are willing to work for tourism, mainly due to the perceived long hour hardship, including weekends and holidays.
That perceived notion is of great concern to the local industry, and propelled ATSA to provide scholarship opportunities to the University of Aruba students, so that they may find a way to channel their curiosity, talent, energy and creativity into the industry, figuring out how to innovate the vacation ownership industry in order for that segment of Aruba’s business portfolio to remain strong for another 40 years.
Interested students and encouraged to send in applications before April 15th.
