The Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit corporation, registered in the State of New York, formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation’s first set of scholarships and study grants were awarded in 1998.
Read Letter from the Chairman, CTO Scholarship Foundation, Jacqueline Johnson
View the list of 2022 – 2024 Board of Directors of the CTO Foundation.
The Objective of the CTO Foundation
The Foundation supports individuals who are nationals of CTO member countries interested in pursuing studies in tourism, hospitality and foreign language training, who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and leadership, and who express a strong interest in making a contribution to the development of Caribbean tourism.
Foundation By-Laws
NAME OF CORPORATION
A New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation named The Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation (hereinafter The Foundation) has been established with its principal office at 80 Broad Street, New York, New York.
ARTICLE II
Purpose: The Foundation is formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Its mission is to develop a cadre of highly skilled tourism professionals in the Caribbean in pursuit of excellence in Caribbean tourism through scholarships, study grants and other educational assistance to Caribbean nationals of academic/career merit and financial need who demonstrate leadership qualities and are committed to the Region’s development through sustainable tourism.
History
Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, originally chaired by Dr. Karl Rodney of Carib News in New York, the Foundation’s first set of scholarships and study grants were awarded in 1998. The first recipient of a scholarship was Ms. Acolla Lewis from Trinidad & Tobago, who successfully completed a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and who was invited by Buckinghamshire College in the U.K. to pursue a doctorate in Tourism Education immediately after completing her Masters’ programme.
"I successfully completed my MSc. in Hospitality and Tourism Education at the University of Surrey, England. The opportunity to pursue further studies in tourism increased my knowledge of the subject area, as well as broadened my horizons. It has truly been a maturing and fulfilling experience and I sincerely thank the Foundation for giving me this great opportunity."
Dr. Acolla Lewis, Lecturer, UWI, Trinidad & Tobago
Since 1998 the CTO Foundation has provided 88 major scholarships and 137 study grants to deserving Caribbean nationals, amounting to over US $1 million. Over the years, major Foundation sponsors have included American Express, American Airlines, Interval International, Royal Caribbean International, Travel Agent Magazine, LIAT, Architectural Digest, CTO chapters worldwide and numerous allied members.
