Investment in human resources key talking point at Curacao conference

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (May 27, 2009) – Tourism leaders across the region are being encouraged to value the importance of human resources in the sector.

The subject of investment in human resources development was a key talking point at the opening of the 5th Annual Caribbean Tourism Human Resources Conference here today.

The Commissioner of Tourism for Curacao, Hon. Eugene Rhuggenaath, told delegates that in order to remain competitive the tourism sector must invest heavily in staff training.

“The principles of sustainable tourism development are applicable towards benefitting local communities and other stakeholders through training, education, participating in management; and for this to happen there needs to be extensive training of human resources at all levels,” Mr. Rhuggenaath said.

The Commissioner of Tourism estimated that by 2011 Curacao’s hotel room stock would double from the current four thousand to over eight thousand. This, he said, would provide challenges for tourism leaders in the area of human resources.

“In order to deliver the growth plans across the sectors and to focus on high quality tourism it is essential to develop the product not only by improving the physical tourism product but also the human resources component. In this the availability of appropriately trained manpower is crucial to success,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Curacao Tourism Board and Director of Tourism Evita Nita also emphasized the importance of human resources training in the sector. She told conference participants this would lead to a more highly motivated workforce.

“It is imperative for both our tourism workforce as well as our entire community to be motivated to deliver high level experience and service to our guests,” the director of tourism said. “You should see investment in our human resources not only as a means to achieve a better tourism sector but to reach a stage where our whole community is motivated to work towards a better island.”

The May 27 to 29 conference has as its theme, Best Practices for Creating a Motivated and Productive Tourism Workforce. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s Human Resources Director, Bonita Morgan said the theme was critical in these trying times for the tourism sector.

“The theme becomes even more complex to address in this difficult economic environment where there are job layoffs and contraction, high feelings of stress related to job security and even levels of distrust,” Ms Morgan said. “We have brought together a number of high quality speakers and presenters to share strategies, their experiences, best practices and case studies that can help us to address how we can truly create a motivated and productive tourism workforce in our countries, our organisations and in the units and departments we work within.”

The conference, being held at Breezes Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino, is organised by the CTO in collaboration with the Curacao Tourism Board (CTB).