The Ministry of Tourism has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the National Institute of Professional Technical Training (INFOTEP)
of the Dominican Republic. The signing was attended by key representatives from
both countries.
The MOU, signed by Minister of Tourism Charles 'Max' Fernandez, and General
Director of INFOTEP, Rafael Santos Badía, aims to strengthen collaboration in
hospitality and tourism education. This partnership will benefit both nations
through shared expertise, resources, and knowledge. Through specialized short
courses and hands-on training, the agreement will directly support those seeking to
upskill in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including students of the Antigua and
Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI). It will equip them with the
necessary skills to thrive in the rapidly growing tourism industry.
"Antigua and Barbuda will in a few weeks, be celebrating a milestone of 1.5
million visitor arrivals by air, cruise and yacht for the year 2024. To bring this into
perspective this represents our population multiplied by 15. In addition to this, in
2025, a number of new property developments will be introduced to our product,
and this means more rooms and the need for more trained and qualified workers to
accommodate the influx of visitors that comes with increased room stock, cruise
visits and airlift to any destination.
“This agreement has come at a remarkably opportune time for Antigua and
Barbuda’s hospitality sector, ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the
technical expertise needed to meet the demands of our tourism industry. ABHTI
and hospitality workers will directly benefit from the various training programs,
enhancing the skills of both students and the local workforce.” said Fernandez.
General Director of INFOTEP noted, “This is an agreement that is born from the
understanding that the tourism sector not only requires infrastructure and
promotion, but also a highly trained human resource capable of offering
memorable experiences to tourists. It is a sector that is constantly evolving,
requiring innovation and a professional approach to ensure that tourist destinations
remain attractive and competitive in a globalized market.”
The MOU is designed to enhance human resources training and institutional
development for both Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic. Key
objectives include promoting knowledge exchange, strengthening the training of
facilitators to boost their competencies, facilitating the exchange of interns and
facilitators, and offering bilingual training in English and Spanish to enhance
communication and technical capabilities.
The MOU will have a direct and positive impact on ABHTI, which will play a
central role in delivering the training programs. This agreement aligns with the
Ministry’s ongoing commitment to advancing the skills of the local workforce,
ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remain a competitive destination for tourists.
ABHTI is proud to be part of this initiative, which will not only enhance the
capabilities of its students but also contribute to the growth of the broader
hospitality community in Antigua and Barbuda.
