CTO tourism scholarships

(CNS): Caymanians wishing to study tourism or hospitality and language training are eligible to apply for scholarships from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Open to Caribbean nationals from CTO-member countries through the region’s tourism developmentagency’s scholarship programme, the CTO Foundation, the scholarships provide funding to individuals wanting to study tourism or hospitality at the Master’s (post graduate) level, and language training for persons already working in the tourism sector.

In addition, the CTO Foundation is offering study grants of up to US$2,500 to individuals pursing tourism/hospitality studies at the certificate, diploma, associate degree or first degree level. Studies can be pursued both within and outside the Caribbean region. The foundation is already accepting applications for the scholarships and study grants and interested persons have until April 15, 2009 to send in their application forms, a CTO release says.

“The Foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism,” said Bonita Morgan, CTO’s director of human resource.

Last year, over a dozen Caribbean nationals received funding from the CTO to further their knowledge and skills in tourism/hospitality to the tune of US$55,000. The CTO Foundation granted six scholarships totalling US$31,000, and seven study grants of US$2000 each. Three Caribbean nationals also received a total of US$10,000 in funding to participate in Management of Coastal Recreational Tourism at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.

The CTO Foundation, set up in 1997, is registered in New York State as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Its main aim is to provide scholarships and study grants to students and industry personnel who are Caribbean nationals, from
CTO-member countries, who wish to pursue studies in the areas of tourism/hospitality and language training. The Foundation supports individuals who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and leadership potential and who express a strong interest in making a contribution to Caribbean tourism.

Since its inception, the CTO Foundation has provided nearly 50 major scholarships and over 90 study grants. Major CTO Foundation sponsors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, Universal Media, the CTO chapters worldwide and numerous CTO allied members.

Information on how to apply for the CTO Foundation scholarship, as well as a list of scholarship and grant recipients, can be found at www.onecaribbean.org.