Management Competencies and Tourism Graduates: Future Leaders of Caribbean Tourism

The Caribbean is challenged to remain competitive in a dynamic global tourism arena. Tourism education plays a critical role in preparing individuals to effectively manage this industry in order to gain that competitive edge. The focus of this study is the determination of the essential management competencies of tourism graduates. The findings reveal that the focus of the tourism programme should be on producing graduates that are flexible, ethical and knowledgeable. The onus is on tourism educators to establish close collaboration among key stakeholders to ensure that there is understanding as to what is of critical importance in preparing future Caribbean leaders

Gestión de competencias y graduados en turismo: los futuros líderes del turismo del Caribe

The Caribbean is challenged to remain competitive in a dynamic global tourism arena. Tourism education plays a critical role in preparing individuals to effectively manage this industry in order to gain that competitive edge. The focus of this study is the determination of the essential management competencies of tourism graduates. The findings reveal that the focus of the tourism programme should be on producing graduates that are flexible, ethical and knowledgeable. The onus is on tourism educators to establish close collaboration among key stakeholders to ensure that there is understanding as to what is of critical importance in preparing future Caribbean leaders.El Caribe tiene el reto de seguir siendo competitivo en el escenario de un turismo mundial dinámico. La educación turística desempeña un papel fundamental en la preparación de las personas que pueda gestionar eficazmente esta industria, con el fin de obtener una ventaja competitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es la determinación de las competencias de gestión esenciales en los graduados de turismo. Los resultados revelan que el enfoque del programa de turismo debe producir graduados que sean flexibles, éticos y bien informados. Es responsabilidad de los educadores del turismo establecer una estrecha colaboración entre las principales partes interesadas, para asegurarse de que hay un entendimiento de lo que es de vital importancia en la preparación de los futuros líderes del Caribe

Gestión de competencias y graduados en turismo: los futuros líderes del turismo del Caribe

The Caribbean is challenged to remain competitive in a dynamic global tourism arena. Tourism education plays a critical role in preparing individuals to effectively manage this industry in order to gain that competitive edge. The focus of this study is the determination of the essential management competencies of tourism graduates. The findings reveal that the focus of the tourism programme should be on producing graduates that are flexible, ethical and knowledgeable. The onus is on tourism educators to establish close collaboration among key stakeholders to ensure that there is understanding as to what is of critical importance in preparing future Caribbean leaders.El Caribe tiene el reto de seguir siendo competitivo en el escenario de un turismo mundial dinámico. La educación turística desempeña un papel fundamental en la preparación de las personas que pueda gestionar eficazmente esta industria, con el fin de obtener una ventaja competitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es la determinación de las competencias de gestión esenciales en los graduados de turismo. Los resultados revelan que el enfoque del programa de turismo debe producir graduados que sean flexibles, éticos y bien informados. Es responsabilidad de los educadores del turismo establecer una estrecha colaboración entre las principales partes interesadas, para asegurarse de que hay un entendimiento de lo que es de vital importancia en la preparación de los futuros líderes del Caribe

Rethinking Destination Success: An Island Perspective

The global tourism industry has shifted due to COVID-19, with tourismdependent islands facing a dire need to realign and reconstruct their tourism offerings to remain competitive. The traditional mass tourism model that has dominated island development has to be re-examined in this new tourism environment with new mindsets regarding the current conditions for destination success. This paper aims to promote an understanding of destination success in an island context and to identify which determinants are critical during this period to achieve optimal destination success. The findings from this study suggest that island destinations are at a critical turning point, and key strategic shifts are necessary to enable future destination success as defined by the Destination Management Organisations. There is a need to shift from management to stewardship, from product to experience, from quantity to quality, and from stakeholder presence to engagement. Core to these strategic shifts is an incorporation of locals as central to the quality of the overall experience, with less reliance on the natural resources (sun, sea, and sand) to which these island destinations have been beholden to for decades

Table_1_An influencer pathway framework for sustainable tourism in SIDS ecotourism hotspots: A case of Aripo ecosystems, Trinidad.docx

IntroductionEcotourism hotspots in small island developing states (SIDS) are affected by unsustainable practices characterized by a lack of coordination, management inadequacies, and poor enforcement of policies and regulations. Consequently, depletion of natural resources and reduction in ecosystem value occur, with the undermining of the contribution of tourism to SIDS economies. An ecotourism system that ensures sustainable ecological integrity, economic viability, and social awareness is therefore critical in SIDS.MethodsWe developed an influencer ecotourism pathway framework (IPF) using the Aripo ecosystem as a case study of an ecotourism hotspot by focusing on influencers within a SIDS system to improve collaboration toward the common goal of ecosystem sustainability. The framework was created to reflect the ecosystem attributes and services found in Aripo, the influencers that both negatively and positively impact the environment, possible solutions specific to addressing these negative impacts, and the ecotourism goals of the area.Results and discussionThe framework was used to characterize the natural capital of Aripo in relation to the three (3) main ecosystems: forest, savanna, and man-made Aripo village. The influencer ecotourism framework provides a practical model to be applied for sustainable ecotourism management efforts in tropical small island regions as it identifies ecotourism attributes and ecosystem services, linking them to the potential impacts of influencers on the environment. It also provides useful insights to various influencers about their role in sustainable ecotourism that conserves the natural capital of the destination community while improving socioeconomic conditions.</p