The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) is seeking applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Product Development Manager.
General Definition
The Product Development Manager is responsible for the development and maintenance of programs and activities relating to sustainable tourism product development in St. Kitts. This includes primarily inspection and licensing for all related sectors (Taxi, Tour, Restaurants, Hotel Retail etc.) and development of standards to support the sectors, drafting policy and implementation in addition to identifying physical product opportunities to enhance the visitor experience.
Responsibilities:
General
• To manage the execution of all functions of the Product Development Department.
• To research, develop, implement, and manage new product development initiatives relating to improving the tourism product, visitor experience and service offerings, to increase the competitive advantage of St. Kitts.
• To monitor trends in sustainable development and develop in collaboration with stakeholders new and unique product offerings to provide the destination a competitive advantage among lifestyle and heritage destinations and in specific sustainable development tourism projects.
• To monitor the impacts of tourism on the economic, social, and physical environments of St. Kitts and make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority on ways to develop tourism more
sustainably.
• To disseminate information using a variety of media on local resources, facilities, and product offerings to visitors and the local community.
• To develop and maintain relationships with industry stakeholders, including but not limited to local operators, local tourism service providers, and government agencies.
• To ensure the destination remains competitive by conducting formal and informal destinations products and services audits on an agreed upon schedule.
• To maintain and update databases of information relating to the tourism sector, visitor preferences and experiences.
Cruise Operations
• Manage all aspects related to cruise tourism, including the planning and execution of cruise-related events and programs.
• To monitor the visitor experience at the ports of entry, including the supervision of customer service attendants and dispatchers. To manage the visitor information facilities and collateral at the air and seaports, in support of enhancing the presentation of a distinctive Kittitian experience to our visitors and provision of quality service and information to all visitors.
Standards and Compliance
• To work on developing and/or implementing sustainability standards for the enhancement of tourist establishments and facilities, attractions, and services.
• To manage the tourist accommodation and facilities inspection and licensing process to meet the requirements of the Tourism Law and Tourism Regulations.
• To research international tourism quality standards and, consultatively, customize to suit St. Kitts, and to ensure that existing standards are complied with, across the tourism sector. To educate where necessary all stakeholders on existing and planned new standards.
Qualifications & Skills
• Degree in Business Management, Tourism and Hospitality or a related discipline.
• 5 Years’ experience in a similar role i.e., tourism product development i.e., drafting policy, regulations implementation, drafting standards and implementation for sectors, experience in designing and implementing physical enhancement projects for national, historical, or cultural sites.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing regulatory standards across several sub-sectors of the Tourism Industry.
• Demonstrated experience working with local, regional, and international stakeholders in the Tourism Industry.
• High level competency with the suite of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, Power Point and Publisher.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Experience in public speaking is required.
• Thorough knowledge of all St. Kitts tourist attractions, and heritage sites.
• Flexible work hours, post holder may also be required to travel from time to time.
Remuneration
• Commensurate with one’s qualifications.
Application Deadline
Interested persons should apply by November 1st, 2024. Interested persons may forward their resumes accompanied by a cover letter to the Human Resource Manager, St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Pelican Mall, Bay Road, Basseterre or at hrapplications@stkittstourism.kn
Only applicants with required qualifications and experience will be acknowledged.
