Program for Training Staff Members of the Ministry of Tourism of Saint Lucia in Strategic Investment Promotion & Facilitation

In the months February and March 2010 IIIP has conducted a distance learning program for 14 senior officials of the Saint Lucia Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Here under is a report by a group of students that participated in the programme.

STRATEGIC  INVESTMENT  PROMOTION
AND
FACILITATION  PROGRAMME

MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL AVIATION
GROUP ONE
(22nd February to 5th March, 2010)

OVERALL VIEW OF THE PROGRAMME

This programme was excellent.  It was very hard work as there were lots to read and also assignments to complete in a short space of time, in addition to the regular work-related assignments and tasks.  However, the course material was well written and when we began reading we all wanted to read more and more.  Long hours were spent reading and doing assignments and we would not stop until the units and/or the assignments were completed.

The fact that there were several colleagues doing the programme motivated us as a group.  We would discuss the course materials with each other. The group assignments helped us work as a team and develop the team spirit within the ministry.  There was even a little competition between groups to see which one would finish the assignments first and the same with the individual assignments - when some of us would boast of having submitted the assignments ahead of time.  This in a way encouraged others to submit their assignments and prove to the rest of the group that "if you can do it so can I". We also motivated each other with regular pep talks and words of encouragement.

The tutors were also excellent; they provided feedback in a timely manner and this served to motivate us as the feedback was always positive.  There were instances where answers were also provided.  We believe that excellent tutors yielded excellent students because the tutors also complimented us on our excellent work.

There were numerous benefits which derived from this programme.   This programme allowed us to examine critically the Tourism Industry in Saint Lucia including the role and responsibilities of the Ministry of Tourism and the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.  We were able to closely examine investment / foreign direct investment in the sector and recognize the need for prioritization of key subsectors and the need to diversify the Tourism market in Saint Lucia for its continued growth and development. 

We therefore recommend this programme in Strategic Investment Promotion and Facilitation to anyone interested in pursuing such a programme because not only will they learn about investment promotion and facilitation but it will also allow for excellent learning about a particular industry or sector – in our case we learnt about the Tourism Industry in Saint Lucia.

PROFILE  - GROUP ONE

Mr Leo Titus Preville, Permanent Secretary / Mrs Elizabeth Bailey, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag)

Miss Anne Margaret Xavier, Director Product Development / Miss Mary Stephen, Accountant III (Ag)

Miss Deepa Girdari, Tourism Officer II