The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE deputy prime minister yesterday said “all signs indicate The Bahamas is about to enter a period of accelerated growth” in tourism with some $2bn worth of investment projects “in the pipeline”.

Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, told the Tourism and Hospitality Forum 2023 that “a career in tourism is one of excitement, rich experiences, attractive salaries, career growth and a deep rewarding sense of fulfillment”.

He called for the development of “feeder” tourism courses at the high school level to help provide the University of The Bahamas (UoB) with consistent student intakes, going so far as to suggest that this nation create “an elite magnet high school” to ready a workforce for its main industry.

Addressing an event hosted by the University of The Bahamas’ College of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management, he argued that tourism offers a wider range of careers than almost any other industry. “It’s a great business to be in, and business is booming,” Mr Cooper added.

“More than any field, tourism and hospitality offer the widest range of careers possible – all levels of hotel operations, from front office to senior management; the transportation sector; entertainment and recreation; the whole scope of technical jobs; tour operations; and the list goes on. “Mr Cooper, reaffirming that tourism is the driving force behind the Bahamian economy, said it was vital that this nation remains a major player in the industry. He added: “The reality is that our country runs off tourism. It powers our national economy and provides over 60 percent of the jobs in our country. It is critical that The Bahamas positions itself to continue increasing its market share of global tourism.”

The deputy prime minister touted that The Bahamas is poised for tourism growth due to projections of increased visitor arrivals coupled with greater investment in the industry. He said: “All signs indicate that The Bahamas is about to enter an exciting new period of accelerated growth in tourism.

“Investor confidence in our economy is exceptionally high, as evidenced by the large number of elite international hotel brands in operation in our destination, and the over $2bn worth of investment projects in the pipeline.”

Reiterating the Government’s ambition to increase Bahamian ownership within the tourism industry, Mr Cooper added: “One of the goals of this government is to increase the number of Bahamian owners of businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. The Government has several agencies that will provide you with the support you need to get your business started - technical and marketing support, and loans to provide start-up capital.”

Mr Cooper called for the development of high school-level tourism training courses, in conjunction with the University of The Bahamas, so as to incentivise students and aid in resolving low enrollment at the university. He said: “The time has come to put in place, at the high school level, a tourism and hospitality programme that will serve as a direct feeder programme into UoB’s College of Tourism and Hospitality.

“A more practical approach would be to have this programme established as an elite magnet high school, specialising in tourism and hospitality. Upon graduation, students will automatically enroll in UoB’s College of Tourism and Hospitality, incentivised with tuition scholarships, stipend and the guarantee of employment upon graduation.”

The recruitment of foreign students into the hospitality programme was also discussed as The Bahamas can use its long-standing tourism reputation to attract students from countries that are now entering the industry. Mr Cooper said: “UoB’s College of Tourism and Hospitality should also look into leveraging the integrity of The Bahamas brand by recruiting foreign students.

“The Bahamas is recognised as a leader in tourism management, and many destinations such as the United Arab Emirates and other countries that are in the process of building their tourism industry would be willing to partner with The Bahamas for the training of their students in the science and art of tourism and hospitality.”