Tourism Minister H. Charles Fernandez is urging Antiguans and Barbudans seeking employment to look beyond traditional hotel jobs and consider the wide range of career opportunities available across the country’s tourism industry.

Fernandez made the appeal as he interacted with participants at the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association’s Hospitality Job Fair last week, where employers and prospective workers were brought together to discuss vacancies and career opportunities.

The fair gave job seekers direct access to businesses looking for workers while allowing them to learn more about qualifications, hiring expectations and possible routes for advancement within the industry.

Fernandez spent time speaking with participants and encouraging them to see tourism as a sector in which they can develop long-term careers.

“Tourism is powered by our people. Every interaction a visitor has and every experience they take away from Antigua and Barbuda is shaped, in some way, by the people who work across this industry,” Fernandez said.

“We must therefore continue to create opportunities for our people to participate meaningfully in the growth of tourism and to benefit from the opportunities that growth provides.”

The tourism sector provides employment well beyond hotels and resorts. Opportunities are also available in restaurants, transportation, aviation, yachting, cruise services, tour operations and other businesses that depend on visitor spending.

Fernandez said continued expansion of the industry should translate into tangible benefits for citizens, including opportunities to gain experience, develop new skills and establish sustainable careers.

The job fair also gave tourism businesses an opportunity to meet potential employees directly as the industry continues efforts to recruit and develop its workforce.

The event was held during September, the month in which World Tourism Day is observed annually on September 27, placing additional focus on the workers who help deliver Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product.

Fernandez said investment in people must remain a priority as the country continues expanding and diversifying its tourism offerings.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Fernandez Encourages Job Seekers to Build Careers in Tourism.