Premier Opens Regional Tourism HR Conference
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley officially opened the 11th Caribbean Tourism Organization Tourism Human Resources Conference in Tortola, emphasizing workers as the foundation of the regional industry. The event brings together delegates from across the Caribbean and North America to discuss workforce development, leadership, and technological innovation. Throughout the week, participants will engage in panel sessions, master classes, and local destination tours.
Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development Dr. Wheatley officially opened the 11th Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Tourism Human Resources Conference on Tuesday at Maria’s By The Sea Hotel in Road Town. Running from October 28 to 31, the multi-day regional event brings together industry leaders, human resource professionals, and regional stakeholders to examine the future of tourism employment.
Addressing delegates during the opening ceremony, Premier Wheatley underscored that Caribbean tourism relies fundamentally on its workforce rather than infrastructure or technological advancements. He noted that the true strength of the sector lies in front-line personnel, including front desk agents, chefs, housekeepers, tour guides, and taxi drivers, who collectively shape the visitor experience across the region.
He urged industry stakeholders to keep human resources at the center of planning through targeted training, recognition, and sustainable workforce investment. The gathering features delegates and industry representatives from across the Caribbean and North America, including Anguilla, Barbados, Canada, Dominica, Florida, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. Several industry leaders also delivered remarks during the opening session. Sharon Flax-Brutus, Interim Executive Director of the BVI Yachting, Hotel, and Tourism Association, highlighted the need for human resources strategies to focus on worker purpose and well-being.
Kendra Roach, President of the Virgin Islands Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, emphasized collective responsibility in redefining human resource excellence across the region. The opening ceremony was chaired by Permanent Secretary Joseph Smith-Abbott, with contributions from BVI Tourist Board Chair Delma Maduro, CTO Secretary General Donna Regis-Prosper, and keynote speaker Philip Mondor, President and CEO of Tourism HR Canada.
Over the course of the conference, attendees will participate in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and master classes focusing on topics including workplace culture, artificial intelligence, leadership diversity, employee wellness, and workplace resilience. Visiting delegates will also take part in local field tours, while local vendors have been provided space at the venue to showcase Virgin Islands products and crafts.
Primary source: BVI Government