Mahler’s Tourism Training Vision Becomes Reality

Belize has built a successful tourism industry by selling its natural beauty, culture and hospitality to the world. But behind the impressive arrival numbers is a challenge the industry can no longer ignore: employers need more workers with specialized, practical training. After years of discussion, Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler says Belize is finally moving ahead with a national hospitality training institute. Expected to launch early next year through partnerships with St. John’s College and the American Hotel and Lodging Association Education Institute, the institute will provide hands-on instruction and internationally recognized certifications for workers across the sector.

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“For many years I’ve advocated for a training institute. I believe in January with the support of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Education Institute, and SJC, we will launch the first training institute for the country at this level, at the old extension building. So the SJC is supporting us with that and we’re putting in all the equipment all the necessary so when you move in there or when you go in there to train, you will have a first-class kitchen or kitchens you’ll have a mock lobby. You will have a mock hotel room. All of these things will be in there so that people can get that first-hand experience.”

 

Shane Williams

“And what level of certification are you pushing for?”

 

Anthony Mahler

“Actually, through our programs you can go from a basic level to an executive chef. That’s just one aspect of it. Obviously we have bartending, we have housekeeping, we have a front desk worker, a lot of frontline certifications that we will do. I can’t understate the importance of having skilled and trained labor force. We can be nice people, but that’s different from having first-class service and first-class service shouldn’t cost more all the time, right?”

 

The proposed site for the institute is the former St. John’s College Extension building at the corner of Regent and King Streets in downtown Belize City.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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