Kingstown, August 29, 2025 — The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in partnership with the Republic of Cuba, held on Thursday the closing ceremony of the Hospitality Technical Mission at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Diamond.
The event marked the successful conclusion of three weeks of practical training delivered by eight Cuban hospitality specialists to Vincentian teachers, instructors, and professionals in the sector.
In the keynote address, the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Hon. Carlos James, emphasized that the mission is the result of decades of friendship and solidarity between Kingstown and Havana. He highlighted that Cuba’s excellence in tourism training, combined with the growth of the hotel sector in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, makes such programs a cornerstone of national competitiveness.
Minister James reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to training more than 2,000 workers in the coming years, ensuring that Vincentians are prepared to fill the jobs created by investments in tourism. “This program is an example of how we must continue to develop our hospitality services,” he stated, noting that participants’ feedback confirmed the quality and value of the training received.
For his part, the Minister of Education and National Reconciliation, Hon. Curtis King, stressed that the closing does not represent an end, but rather the continuation of the process of strengthening national capacity through education and training. He further emphasized that true development must always be grounded in education, underscoring that technical and vocational training provides Vincentians with the preparation needed to excel in a competitive industry.
The Ambassador of Cuba to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, H.E. Carlos Rodríguez Etcheverry, expressed pride in this joint achievement, describing it as a milestone in bilateral cooperation. He noted that Cuba did not come to teach, but to share and exchange knowledge, thereby strengthening the bonds of solidarity and brotherhood between the two nations. “What we have achieved together demonstrates the power of unity, integration, and true partnership among equals,” he affirmed.
During the ceremony, certificates of participation were presented to the program’s graduates. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Annette Mark, Executive Director of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, who praised all those involved and extended special recognition to the Cuban delegation for their valuable contribution.
This mission represents the first technical cooperation project in tourism between Cuba and a Caribbean country, and it is expected to lay the foundation for new initiatives aimed at strengthening excellence in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ tourism services (Cuban Embassy to St. Vincent and the Grenadines/Cubaminrex).