Revolutionising Bermuda’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry: BTA+ is Setting the Stage for Success
Hamilton, Bermuda – November 3, 2023 - The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is excited to introduce a significant enhancement to our e-learning platform, BTA+. This dynamic platform serves as the central hub for our diverse range of educational offerings, including but not limited to the groundbreaking partnership with Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and Bacardi U.S.A.
Our partnership allows us to provide an exciting bar training program called Future Proof to the island! A program they developed in collaboration with renowned bartenders will be a valued asset within BTA+. As our focus is to build a comprehensive e-learning platform, it's important to highlight that Future Proof is integral to what BTA+ was built to do. Upon successful completion of the ‘Future Proof’ curricula, students will be awarded a Future Proof Bar Training Certificate of Completion from FIU’s Bacardi Center of Excellence at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in North Miami, Florida, a top 10 ranked U.S. hospitality program. Future Proof enhances knowledge and experience with a wide array of modules, taking our bartending community to new heights in the field. This will be available soon to residents of Bermuda.
Through the e-learning platform, BTA+, we support Bermuda's National Tourism Plan, ensuring a sustainable future for our tourism sector. By investing in the professional development of our hospitality workforce, we enhance the visitor experience, making Bermuda a premier tourist destination. With BTA+, our tourism sector will thrive in line with our national vision.
Tracy Berkeley, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, shared her enthusiasm towards her team for forging groundbreaking partnerships with Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Bacardi U.S.A, and Future Proof. “This collaboration will bring unprecedented benefits to our e-learning platform, BTA+, and elevate Bermuda's hospitality industry. I applaud our team's dedication to see this transformative initiative through.”
"We are thrilled to support the hospitality industry of Bermuda with Future Proof,” said Brian Connors, Director of the Bacardi Center of Excellence at FIU’s Chaplin School. “Our modern approach features some of the best educational development courses in the industry and our learning modules are designed to elevate the knowledge and skills of the seasoned professional and individuals who are new to the industry,” he added.
Douglas Mello, Managing Director of Bacardi Bermuda, expressed his pride in partnering with the BTA and FIU Chaplin School to launch the Future Proof program. “We are committed to giving back to our community and continuing to support the needs of bar owners and hospitality partners. Earlier this year, Bacardi introduced our global bartending initiative, Shake Your Future, which successfully transformed the lives of six unemployed, young Bermudians. Future Proof serves as an additional resource, reinforcing our commitment to inspire, educate, and foster job opportunities within the hospitality industry.”
BTA, FIU’s Chaplin School and its Bacardi Center of Excellence, and Bacardi share a joint commitment to empowering Bermudians for success in the hospitality industry, and Future Proof serves as a solid foundational pathway to achieve this goal. Through this program, Bermudians can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the hospitality sector.
To see BTA+ offerings, register by clicking here.
ABOUT BERMUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY (BTA)
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is an award-winning, accredited destination marketing organisation that promotes Bermuda internationally and works to empower our tourism industry stakeholders. Explore Bermuda’s National Tourism Plan.
BTA’S STRATEGIC APPROACH TO TOURISM STANDARDS & TRAINING
The Bermuda Tourism Authority's Tourism Standards and Training department is dedicated to nurturing Bermuda's hospitality and tourism industry through structured training, industry collaborations, leadership development, and partnership opportunities. We firmly believe that the industry's growth is intrinsically linked to the support of its residents. This strategic approach is in alignment with our National Tourism Plan, which focuses on revitalizing the industry through education, local involvement, and the collective elevation of Bermuda.
ABOUT BACARDI LIMITED
Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
ABOUT FIU’S CHAPLIN SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM MANAGEMENT
Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is a Top 10 hospitality school among U.S. Public Universities and ranked 35th in the world. Nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation and around the globe choose FIU for its outstanding reputation, advantageous campus locations in Miami, expert faculty, rich curriculum and real career opportunities in the international hotel, foodservice, beverage and spirits management, travel, tourism, revenue management, entertainment, and mega and large-scale event industries. As the leading diverse hospitality program with over 70% women and students from 74 countries represented, Chaplin School graduates more undergraduate Black, Hispanic and International students than any other school. For more information about Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, visit http://hospitality.fiu.edu.
ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (FIU)
Florida International University is a top public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. Very high research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 56,000 and 270,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.
