Tourism Division Builds Youth Awareness
It was an opportunity for children, from ages 7 to 13 years old, to learn more about the tourism sector, from youth entrepreneurship and potential career choices to notable sites and attractions and local wild life.
The Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation (DoTCAT) hosted its virtual Tourism Summer Youth Awareness Programme for the second time, from August 10th-12th.
The virtual campers got a chance to learn about the importance of tourism, the island’s beach and water safety, storytelling and folktales, calypso and much more. The programme also featured youth entrepreneur and Tobago’s 2021 Top SEA performer, Jolé St. John, and gospel artiste Joel ‘Positive’ Murray.
“Friday (August 12th) was International Youth Day (IYD) and for us it was a week recognising the value of our youth demographic with our awareness programme,” DoTCAT Programme Coordinator Sandra Orr-Toney said. “So, I’m happy that we were able to do the online programme; and also we held an International Youth Day initiative. Both events were geared towards showing appreciation to our young persons.”
Orr-Toney indicated that the coordination of these events required thoughtful planning, and expressed appreciation for the invaluable support of Tourism Secretary Tashia Burris and Administrator Cherry Ann Edwards-Louis, as well as the contributions of Communications Officer Shaheeda Sylvester and Assistant Research and Development Officer Oona McNeil-Benjamin.
The IYD initiative, which was held at DoTCAT’s main building car park, Sangster’s Hill, featured pop-up shops highlighting young entrepreneurs and included edutainment.
“The ultimate objective of both events is to create tourism youth ambassadors and awareness of the sector through interactive sessions. Both events gave our youths a voice on tourism-related issues,” Orr-Toney said.