Belize City, Tuesday, July 18th,
2006 -- As part of its ongoing efforts to develop one of the most important
elements of the tourism industry the Belize Tourism Board awarded five
scholarships to diving professionals in pursuit of higher-level training in the
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) and Assistant Instructor (SI)
courses. This year's scholarship recipients were Pablo Bo (OWSI), Karim
Fuller (AI), Argyle Jex (OWSI), Danie Queme (OWSI) and Roscoe Rhys (AI).
PADI, the Professional
Association of Diving Instructors, has set the standard for quality, fun and
excellence in diver education. More divers worldwide participate in PADI
programs than any other, making PADI diver credentials the most recognized and
respected in the world. The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) is
the first PADI Instructor level attained by dive professionals. It is the
most rigorous and intense of all instructor level training programs in the
scuba diving industry. The IDC is divided into two components: the
Assistant Instructor (AI) Program and the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
Program.
Each section was 5 days in
duration allowing the student ample time to absorb and practice the skills
needed to successfully complete the Instructor Development Course and
Instructor Exam (IDC/IE). During their training, instructor candidates
reviewed PADI standards, procedures, philosophies and teaching methods as well
as enhance their practical teaching ability, watermanship, and diving
knowledge.
"Having
proficient certified diving professionals involved in the industry is of
extreme importance," comments Director of Tourism Tracy Panton. "It is
imperative that we continue to encourage our men and women who strive to
increase their knowledge in tourism as it helps to support the tourism industry
and provide for a quality experience for our guests."
For the past
six years, the BTB has shown its unwavering support of diving professionals'
interest to enhance their scuba training by subsidizing a total of 36 persons
in what is often a costly, but tremendously beneficial venture. The total
investment in this most recent training session valued over $6,000.00.
The training
was done by John Searle, PADI Instructor at Sea Sport Belize. Mr. Searle
has been an instructor for over seven years.
For more information on the
developments and events Belize's Tourism Industry, please contact the Marketing
Department at the Belize Tourism Board at (501)-223-1913, via email: btbb@btl.net or visit our website www.travelbelize.org.
Lorraine Herrera
Marketing Officer
Belize Tourism Board
3 1/2 Mls. Northern Highway
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 501-223-1913
Fax: 501-223-1943
Toll Free: 1800-624-0686
Email: lorraine@travelbelize.org
Web: www.travelbelize.org
