The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), through its scholarship program, the CTO Foundation, is once again stepping forward to assist in the development of highly skilled Caribbean tourism professionals.
This year, the regional institution is providing scholarships and study grants to Caribbean nationals wishing to pursue tourism and hospitality studies or language training.
Now in its 7th year, the CTO Foundation Scholarship Program is offering scholarships to citizens of CTO’s 32-member states for tourism and hospitality studies at the Masters Degree level. The scholarships are for a period of 1 year to 18 months, beginning in August/September 2003.
In addition, study grants ranging from US$500 - US$2,500 are available for persons pursuing post secondary studies in the tourism sector at the certificate, diploma or degree level from June 2003 onwards.
Language training grants are also being offered to persons who are currently working in the tourism/hospitality sector for whom having a second language would be an important asset, said Bonita Morgan, CTO’s director of human resources development.

Persons wishing to apply for either the scholarships or the study grants can obtain application forms and related information from the Ministry of Tourism, the Board of Tourism or the Ministry of Education in their respective countries.  Application forms are also available at all CTO offices and online at CTO’s website address www.onecaribbean.org.

The CTO Foundation, set up in 1997, is registered in New York State, USA, as a Not-for-Profit Corporation, established 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 want to undertake 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 contributing to Caribbean tourism,” said Mrs. Morgan.
Since 1997, the Foundation has provided 11 major scholarships and 31 study grants, amounting to just over US$250, 000, to deserving Caribbean nationals. Major CTO Foundation sponsors include American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, the CTO Chapters worldwide and numerous CTO allied members.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean`s tourism development agency and comprises membership of 32 governments and a myriad of private sector companies.
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