development in Bermuda's tourism industry kicks off at noon today at the Chamber of Commerce.

Through the Bermuda Tourism Competitiveness Programme, and on their own, a number of individuals and organisations in Bermuda are working hard to address the training and development of tourism employees.

Today's session will focus on their efforts and the remaining challenges surrounding the better deployment and development of employees.

As Monitor Company's Jeff Wetzler noted yesterday: "Tourism businesses that successfully compete on human capital deploy talented individuals into sophisticated, rewarding job roles.

"However that is only part of the answer. These firms must also train and develop employees to grow in their career paths.'' He added that well-trained employees were key to meeting the needs of the demanding, value for money visitor Bermuda wanted to attract.

"Today's most desirable and rewarding tourism customers demand sophisticated, customised and flexible service.'' The efforts by Bermudians to create this reformed human capital include The Link's School Outreach Programme, the National Training Board's Investors in People programme, productive dialogue workshops and VIP's People's Choice Awards.

Mr. Wetzler and Monitor's Steve Searfoss will be joined by the Bermuda Employers' Council's Clare Mello for the discussion.