The Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (THTI) is delighted to share that today, October 18, 2023, we are sending off a group of 10 students on an exciting 5-day student study tour to Barbados. This immersive journey promises a blend of academic exploration and cultural experiences, featuring the famous annual Barbados Food & Rum Festival and educational visits to local academic institutions. 

The students will be accompanied by their lecturer, Chef Arthur Patrick and the Dean of Academic Services, Ms. Shinelle Smith.

The study tour promises to be enriching and unforgettable for the students, blending academic learning with practical, real-world experiences in the vibrant setting of the Food & Rum Festival. THTI student Caleb Marcelle expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. He stated, ” I hope to learn more about the rich history, traditions, and local way of life in Barbados, gaining a deeper cultural understanding of the island.” Caleb went on to emphasize the potential educational benefits of his upcoming trip, saying, “A trip to Barbados can significantly benefit my educational journey by providing real-world insights into the social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the Caribbean region, enriching my understanding beyond what can be learned in a classroom”.

Day 1: Street Food Experience at The Gap

The study tour begins on Day 1 with an enticing street food experience at The Gap, a vibrant mile-long stretch on the south coast of Barbados. The area boasts a plethora of restaurants, hotels, and beaches, making it the perfect starting point for an exciting excursion.

Day 2: Visit UWI Cavehill, Barbados Community College, Sandals Resort

Day 2 is dedicated to academia, with visits to the UWI Cavehill campus and Barbados Community College. Moreover, this day offers the students a unique opportunity to connect with peers currently undergoing internships at Sandals Barbados, allowing them to gain insights into the hotel’s renowned training model. The evening concludes with a cultural celebration at Oistins Under the Stars, marking the official commencement of the festival.

Day 3: Boatyard Beach Adventures

On Day 3, students will enjoy a day at Boatyard Beach Adventures, indulging in water slides, rope swinging, and a boat tour for snorkeling amidst shipwrecks and turtles. Afterward, a walk through Bridgetown leads to the festival’s Rum Route and the group will end the evening at the festival’s Rum Route.

Day 4: Eco-Adventure, Junior Chef Competition

Day 4 is action-packed, starting with a visit to Harrison’s Caves for an eco-adventure amid crystallized limestone caves whose stalagmites are still growing due to the active flowing streams. Following this exhilarating experience, students will head to the Junior Chef competition, a highlight of the Barbados Food & Rum Festival. As hospitality professionals-in-training, the THTI students will gain from observing top aspiring young chefs put their creativity, talent and training to test in this captivating showdown. The day will end at the family-friendly Bajan Fair, offering rides, games, and delectable food.

Day 5 – Barbados Island Tour & Safe Return Home!

The final day of the study tour involves a half-island tour before students board their flight back to Trinidad and Tobago. Upon their return, the students will share their newfound knowledge and experiences by facilitating presentations for the wider school community. These presentations will focus on adapting and applying the conceptual designs learned during the tour to a specific Tobago context.

For updates and insights during the tour, follow #thti_tobago on social media. To learn more about THTI and our programmes, please visit: www.thti.edu.tt

The Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute

• Email: info@thti.edu.tt
• Website: www.thti.edu.tt  
• Tel: 868-303-5153 / 868-660-2196
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/realTobagoTHTI
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thti_tobago

ABOUT THTI

The Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (THTI) is Tobago’s premier tertiary education institution that develops human capital for the economy’s hospitality, tourism, and related sectors. THTI was founded in 1997 to address the need for trained professionals to compete in a globally competitive market alongside other Caribbean islands. In 2009, THTI became the first indigenous Tobago institution registered with the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT). THTI attained ACTT Institutional Accreditation status in 2014 and again in 2019.  The Institute offers many short courses in Tourism; Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Food & Beverage alongside its standard Associate Degree Programmes. THTI is located on a 100-acre estate of pristine forest overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, in Mount St. George, Tobago.