The St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation and supported by Interval International, hosted its second annual Caribbean Supercharged Service and Leadership Training Workshop on St. Croix — an event that radiated energy and enthusiasm across the hospitality community.
The two-day professional development training culminated with a lively celebration and award ceremony Wednesday evening at the rooftop of the King Christian Hotel, honoring 160 St. Croix hospitality and tourism professionals for their commitment to service excellence.
Louise John, creator of the Caribbean Supercharged Service and Leadership Training Workshop, whose program has been instrumental in elevating hospitality standards across the region, hyped an excited crowd of professionals in their respective fields.
Participating businesses included Divi Carina Bay, The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, The Company House Hotel, Caravelle Hotel & Casino, Cane Bay Dive Shop, Hotel on the Cay, King Christian Hotel, Neighborhood Establishment, Sandcastle on the Beach, and Tamarind Reef Resort.
Suzanne Rosbach, president of the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association, said last year’s training, which involved 90 team members, was so successful that they were inspired to expand it in year two. She noted that members reported tangible uplifts in service, confidence, and consistency.
Also in attendance was Tourism Department Commissioner-Nominee Jennifer Magras-King, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and pride in the territory’s main economic driver. “As a community where more than 70 percent of our economic GDP is tied to tourism and hospitality, there’s one thing that can’t be denied — we all have a vested interest in the Virgin Islands’ success as a tourism destination,” said Magras-King. “Even with the greatest marketing team in the industry, our visitor experience would mean nothing without you the people who bring the spirit of Virgin Islands hospitality to life.”
Workshop sessions covered a wide range of topics, including “Standards Implementation and Management,” “Happy Housekeepers,” “Find Your Service Vibe,” “Circular Housekeeping,” and “Heartfelt Player Care.”
Karolin Troubetzkoy, chair of the Education Foundation, joined electronically to share remarks and express appreciation to long-standing sponsor Interval International. “Interval International was a key partner in this activity, and managers spoke of their delight to learn about Interval and the opportunities for business partnerships,” Troubetzkoy said.
On behalf of Interval International, Vice President of Client Sales Neil Kolton expressed how pleased the company was to again support the on-island training. “We have long been a partner with the Education Foundation and believe in the dynamic and pertinent courses being offered on various islands annually,” Kolton said.
As a token of appreciation, Interval International presented certified participants with a Dream Vacation Week at a partner property before the end of 2026. Participants can choose from local, regional, and international destinations listed in their personal Dream Vacation Week booklet. Special rates include $329 per week for a studio, $399 for a one-bedroom unit, and $429 for a two-bedroom unit.
Most units feature full kitchens, washers and dryers, spacious layouts, and full resort amenities and services. Interval encouraged recipients to “uplift and enjoy your service interactions this season” and wished everyone a happy vacation in the year ahead.
Other sponsors of the training included The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, The Company House Hotel, Caravelle Hotel & Casino, and King Christian Hotel.
Anyone interested in participating in next year’s training can contact trainingeducationfoundation@gmail.com.
