PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Francis Fish & Seafoods Ltd francisfish.seafoods@gmail.com through its Bay Gardens Training Institute, launched earlier this year in partnership with Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. “We had about 30 people who graduated with a hospitality certificate recently in bartending, food and beverage, culinary, and housekeeping,” Destang says. “We make the investments or co-invest with the employees, but they take the courses on property, so they don’t have to leave.”This initiative addresses the industrywide challenge of workforce development as The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association implements new training programs across the Caribbean. “There’s going to be an increased focus on training and development to upskill and retain our talent,” Destang emphasizes. “We are hoping to be able to make an announcement about investments and hospitality developments in other parts of the island that will showcase that we’re more than just about Rodney Bay.” As Saint Lucia’s tourism industry enters a new growth phase, Bay Gardens is prepared to expand its distinctive brand of Caribbean hospitality. The family-owned resort chain that began with 45 rooms and a reluctant hotelier has evolved into a regional hospitality leader, proving that authentic local ownership and international standards can successfully coexist. 50 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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