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Welcome, to a site which we hope will whet your appetite for more information on the OAS program for an industry which has become not only one of the most important global industries of today, but now stands as the world’s biggest export earner with revenues surpassing those of automobiles and electronic equipment. Cognitive of the fact that this industry generates considerable economic foreign exchange earnings and employment across the hemisphere, but however is highly competitive, the OAS is committed to assisting its Member States not only in the use of tourism as a tool in the reduction of poverty but also in the enhancement of their competitiveness and the conservation of their natural and cultural patrimony.
For the OAS, success in maintaining the benefits of tourism so that it could contribute to the alleviation of poverty can only be achieved, through the continuous diversification, innovation and upgrading of the tourism product, as well as capacity and institutional building. It is therefore within this context and the careful evaluation of the needs of its Member states that the OAS formulates its tourism programs.
Training and Certification:
The OAS has partnered with a major hospitality institute to provide internationally recognized training and certification for Member States. This training is provided for all categories of hospitality workers, from line level to managerial owners. More importantly, in order to sustain the training program, and in keeping with the Organization’s philosophy of “teaching how to fish instead of providing the fish”, ( a method which has been highly successful in efforts of sustainability), a unique program for the “training of trainers” has been devised by the Department of Trade, Tourism and competitiveness (DTTC), in conjunction with the American Hotel and Lodging Institute.
Projects and activities:
In seeking to enhance the awareness of competitiveness demands for the small tourism enterprises sector, the Tourism Section of the OAS, has assisted that sector with training and capacity building programs tailored to their requirements. One of the most successful projects is the Small Tourism Enterprises Program or STEP. The impact of this project has been tremendous and its credibility and visibility are increasing steadily. This program began as a pilot program in the Caribbean and is being replicated in the other regions of the Hemisphere. Best practices in hospitality, hotel operations and management, culinary skills as well as safety and security are some of the areas of concentration in the training programs provided by the OAS.
In addition to providing direct assistance to some 1,000 small tourism enterprise operators and employees, the OAS small hotels program has left a significant legacy of internationally trained packages, tool kits, and resource centers in many countries of the Hemisphere.
Responding to the criticism of the insufficient utilization of the agricultural sector in many countries, the Tourism Section of the OAS began a culinary training and certification program in the smaller states. The program offers a certification by the Culinary Institute of America and provides training to cooks, chefs, and or aspiring cooks and chefs, on the use of local produce, for that authentic cuisine which visitors often seek.
Tourism in Action
The OAS Member States populated by peoples of diverse ethnic and cultural origins is thought by many to be a great repository of cultural assets.These endowments, as well as their history and natural resources, give the Hemisphere a strategic advantage in the promotion of cultural and environmental tourism.The OAS Tourism Section provides assistance to the countries in developing activities for the presentation of the richness of this cultural legacy.These can be seen in the relevant country links.
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WELCOME
SEDI
