Sustainable Tourism Development Course for CARICOM Countries

Four representatives from Belize’s tourism sector are in Okinawa, Japan attending a course titled "Sustainable Tourism Development in CARICOM countries." The delegation includes Mr. Evan Young - Product Development Officer, Belize Tourism Board; Ms. Juliet Neal – Tourism Office, Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation; Mr. Kenrick Theus – President, Belize Hotel Association and Mr. Andrew Godoy - former General Manager, Belize Tourism Industry Association. The training is sponsored by the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and runs from January 6th – February 21st, 2009.

The course consists of a "preliminary phase" which occurred in the participants’ home country from December 2008 to January 2009, followed by a ‘core segment’ in Japan from January 6 – February 21, 2009, and the "final phase" occurs in the participant’s home country from February to August 2009.

During the program, participants will engage in lectures, case studies, site-observation and learn strategies and tactics used in tourism development from both the public and private sector in Okinawa.  This program is designed primarily for organizations intending to address specific tourism related issued affecting their country. The content was developed in collaboration with relevant prominent organizations in Japan.

Upon completion of the course participants will acquire information for sustainable tourism development management, learn specific development methods in the field of marketing and tourism promotion, understand the importance of hospitality management, human development and alternative tourism practices in the area of eco-tourism and, be equipped with the tools to draft in-country sustainable tourism development plans.

"This is an excellent way for our officers involved in tourism development to be trained in executing strategies in sustainable tourism development, commented Tourism Director, Tracy Panton. "We look forward to further develop Japan-CARICOM relations as we share a mutual desire to develop and use our resources in a sustainable manner to support economic growth and human development."