NEW JERSEY – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation, says it will provide a scholarship to a Caribbean national in honor of the memory of the late Jean Holder, who served as the first secretary general of the Barbados-based regional tourism body.
Jean Holder (File Photo)The CTO Foundation, which is the charity that funds Caribbean nationals pursuing further studies in tourism and related subjects said the Jean Holder Memorial Scholarship of up to US$7500 will allow for Caribbean nationas to enhance their skill in any area of sustainable tourism development.
“Recognised globally as the father of Caribbean tourism development, Mr Holder, who died in January 2022, played a critical role in changing the course Caribbean tourism. He dedicated over 30 years of his professional life to the development and expansion of the sector in the region by charting its path towards becoming the primary foreign exchange earner and the engine of economic growth,” the Foundation added.
It said that among his many priorities were ensuring the region’s tourism sector became sustainable, and helping Caribbean nationals understand that employment in the tourism industry provided a career of service.
“Jean Holder was a champion of tourism education at all levels in the Caribbean and an architect of the CTO Scholarship Foundation. He was also a relentless advocate for sustainable tourism in all its forms.
“Therefore, it is fitting that we name this scholarship after him in honour of the yeoman service he gave to Caribbean tourism for over three decades,” said Jacqueline Johnson, chairman of the CTO Foundation adding “the foundation is thankful to Mr Holder’s children for allowing us to recognise his contribution in this way.”
The CTO Scholarship Foundation, which was established in 1997, said the closing date for applications for the scholarship is May 10, this year.
