Eight young Bermudians have been awarded scholarships worth $32,500 to help them pursue careers in the hospitality industry.

The grants were presented at Newstead Belmont Hills by Acting Tourism Development Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Malika Musson, executive director of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute (BHI).

The Institute joined with Royal Caribbean Cruises in July to create the awards.

“These young people are to be celebrated on being the recipients of the 2014 Bermuda Hospitality and Tourism Studies Scholarships,” Ms Gordon-Pamplin said. “This wonderful achievement is a testament of their personal effort and commitment.

“Through the generosity of one of our most respected and valued tourism partners, Royal Caribbean International, this scholarship is a tremendous support to these students in furthering their studies in tourism-related fields.

“This Government is committed to the future of Bermuda tourism and we believe that that future lies with our young talent here at home.

“The Bermuda Department of Tourism Development will continue to do its part to develop and support these future leaders because we take that role very seriously.

“The 2014 Bermuda Hospitality and Tourism Studies Scholarship is an annual award, courtesy of the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line, and is managed by the Bermuda Hospitality Institute.

“This is an initiative that has been in existence for many years we are very proud to be associated with it as it has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to almost 100 young Bermudians to assist them in tourism-related studies.”

Ms Musson also congratulated the recipients and said the BHI was committed to supporting those seeking careers in tourism.

“The future of hospitality and tourism lies with our youth, and the Hospitality Institute is seriously committed to doing its part to develop the future leaders of the tourism industry,” she added. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd for its significant contribution and the support that it continues to provide.”

The recipients are Eron Woods, of Johnson & Wales University in North Carolina, $5,000; Sajni Richardson, Johnson & Wales, $5,000; Taryn Burgess, Johnson & Wales, $5,000; Nikhil Hassell, Johnson & Wales, $5,000; Zakiyah Adams, Mount St Vincent University, $3,500; Simon Benevides, University of Guelph, $3,500; Dwayne Fubler, Niagara College, $3,500; Ramsay Saggar, Niagara College, $2,000.

Ms Musson congratulated all the students, and reiterated the Hospitality Institute’s commitment in continuing to support those seeking tourism-related careers.

She said: “The future of hospitality and tourism lies with our youth, and the Hospitality Institute is seriously committed to doing its part to develop the future leaders of the tourism industry.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd for its significant contribution and the support that it continues to provide.”