Caribbean Times 55th Issue - Tuesday 13th December 2016

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4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 13th December 2016 Key officials meet to discuss ECIT By Joanna Paris ECIT is conceptualized as an integrated system, characterized by centres of specialization operating respectively in Hospitality Training Institutes in each OECS Member State. The respective countries will specialize in a niche area in Tourism and Hospitality that reflects the respective comparative advantage of each destination. To this end, an OECS delegation, comprising the Tourism Specialist and the Strategic Plan Consultant for the Network of Excellence for Tourism & Hospitality Training & Education (NETH- TE), met with key officials at the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) last week. According to a press statement, a first meeting was held with the recently appointed, Interim Acting Executive Director, Violet Lake; and the Chairperson of the ABHTI Board of Directors, Shirlene Nibbs. This was followed by a meeting with and presentation to the ABHTI’s Board of Directors on the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Tourism (ECIT). Under the leadership of Tourism Minister, the Hon. Asot Michael, the country is aggressively seeking to position itself as a mid to high-end tourist destination. The press statement outlined that in light of this and several other factors considered during the development of the Strategic Plan for the ECIT, Antigua & Barbuda will specialize in: Luxury Accommodation Services & Management. This specialization includes courses By Joanna Paris Plans are being made to increase the number of workers available to keep the communities clean. That decision was made at a recent Cabinet meeting, where according to Government Spokesperson Ambassador Lionel “Max” Hurst, “a discussion took place about the unwanted vegetation that has been growing rapidly because of the rains, followed by the sunshine”. It was explained that more workers are required to cut the growing grass and shrubbery, since the pace of growth is more rapid than in drought conditions. “Whereas workers would be return to a cut area once every three weeks during drought, the same area requires trimming and cutting every week. The millions of dollars spent to keep highways, roadways and community roads impeccable, must increase in order to achieve the same By Joanna Paris The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCA) has indicated that the long awaited Barbuda Airways is ready to begin its official services. That is according to Government’s Spokesperson, Ambassador Lionel “Max” Hurst, who said that the authority has already carried out the required tests on the aircraft. Hurst was speaking at the time as a guest on Monday’s Against the Backdrop on ABS Television/Radio. “They had to disassemble it for the ECCA to examine it, they had put it back together and now I believe it is ready to fly”, Hurst said. level of tidiness that was possible when there was no rain”, Hurst has explained. Meanwhile, it has been reported that that the amount spent annually by the government agency— responsible on butler training, etiquette and protocol; and other exclusive services aimed at preparing young people, or certifying experienced workers, for work at luxury resorts, villas, yachts, or private jets. This specialization is unique to the Caribbean region. The recent meetings concluded with the ABHTI Board of Directors’ full commitment to continued support in the establishment of ECIT and the involvement of ABHTI as a significant partner within the ECIT network. The new Board of Directors was only established one week ago. The OECS NETHTE project is being implemented with funding support by the European Union through its 10th EDF programme on Economic Integration and Trade of the OECS region. Gov’t to increase capacity to keep environment clean for clearing the roadways and highways of unwanted vegetation—is less today than the amount which was spent in 2013, which suggested that financial resources are being allocated more strategically. Update on Barbuda Airways Although, the exact inaugural flight date is yet to be announced, Hurst is confident that when the service commences, it will be very beneficial to residents and citizens. “They want to take it up into the air a few times to make sure that everything is right and then it will be managed by Caribbean Helicopters and it has also been registered. It will reduce the cost of travel between Antigua and Barbuda by at least 50 us dollars”, he noted. At this time, it is anticipated that Barbuda Airways will facilitate at least two flights a day- one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The aircraft was purchased for the sum of $300,000 US dollars.
Tuesday 13th December 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 5 Rotaract Club of Antigua - 30 years of service The Rotaract Club of Antigua celebrated 30 years of service this past week, from the 4th - 11th December, 2016. The club was officially chartered on 5th December, 1986 and the members have been giving back to the communities of Antigua and Barbuda from since its creation. On Sunday, the club began its week with a church service at the St.John’s Lutheran Church. On Monday 5 th , the club had its Media Day. President Jessica Challenger and Vice President Mykel Samuel, appeared on the Good Morning Antigua and Barbuda Show to promote the club, while Rotaractors wore their Rotaract shirts for the day at their respective jobs to show off their Rotaract Pride and also take pictures with Rotarians to celebrate the club’s official charter day. Tuesday 6 th , the club made a donation to the Cedar Grove Primary School as part of its ‘Learn a Trade project’, which found the members of the club building and tuning steel pans from scratch. Special mention and thanks must be made to Mr. Veron Henry and his team, who guided and assisted the club in the building of these steel pans. Tuesday evening members gathered at the movie theater for a night of fun and fellowship. Wednesday brought the club to an evening of fellowship held at the Rotary House. On Thursday, the club executed its School Enhancement Initiative to the winning school of Spelling Bee 2016, the Sunnyside Tutorial Primary School. Finally to wrap up the week of activities, the club held its 30 th Anniversary Banquet at the Touloulou Restaurant on Sunday 11th December, 2016. This event brought Rotarians, past and present Rotaractors, and friends together to celebrate this milestone. Mr. Patrick “Paddy” Benjamin, one of the founders of the club, was also in attendance and made a very generous donation of a significant amount in efforts to assist the club with its community projects. The Rotaract Club of Antigua and its members were elated to celebrate 30 years of service and looks forward to continue to serve those in need for many more years. Club members at 30th Anniversary banquet Donation of Steel pans to Cedar Grove Primary School School enhancement initiative to the Sunnyside Tutorial Primary- Spelling Bee 2016 Winning School 30th Anniversary Church Service
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Caribbean Times 55th Issue - Tuesday 13th December 2016

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