A Door of Cooperation Is Opened Between the US and Eastern Europe
The USA and Belarus Bed and Breakfast Associations have just signed an agreement to exchange professional training resources and to jointly submit funding grant proposals for extensive cooperation.
- (1888PressRelease) February 15, 2012 - A "Letter of Cooperation" pledge agreement was officially accepted last week between the Innkeeping Associations of the USA and Belarus at the annual meeting of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII - http://www.innkeeping.org).
Cooperative Exchange
The presidents of both associations, Jay Karen and Dr. Valeria Klitsounova, signed an agreement creating an exchange program of professional training resources. The agreement will provide the 800 members of Country Escape, the Belarusian B&B Association http://www.ruralbelarus.by/__eng/, access to the significant benefits of PAII"s consultation and continuing educational resources.
Dr. Wayne Engel, PAII's International Ambassador-at-large, negotiated the agreement over the past year after being invited by the State Department and American Embassy in Minsk to explore and consult with Dr. Klitsounova about such a cooperative agreement. It is the first agreement of its kind between the US and an Eastern European country. Engel and Klitsounova are acquainted as professorial colleagues as Dr. Klitsounova teaches as faculty of The Belarusian State University's Department of Hospitality and Tourism and Dr. Engel is Professor Emeritus at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virgina. Dr. Klitsounova and three aspiring interning innkeepers from Belarus were welcomed and hosted by Dr. Engel and PAII for the official signing of the document of cooperation in late January.
Internship Training Program
Already in place is a pilot Internship Training Program hosted by Dr. Engel at his award-winning and historic Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast, Stonewall Jackson Inn (http://www.stonewalljacksoninn.com). The three aspiring Belorussian interns specially selected by Dr. Klitsounova are gaining invaluable experience working alongside a master innkeeper at a distinguished bed and breakfast inn. They are the first of many aspiring and experienced Belarusian Innkeepers who will be placed in selected successful, training-oriented B&B's in the USA.
In return, an identical program will be available in Belarus for US innkeepers. The two Associations are currently making a joint application to several private international foundations to fund and staff further development of the internship program, and to exchange research information and professional training resources.
As PAII President, Mr. Karen will make an official visit to Belarus this coming May. He will be hosted by the American Embassy and Dr. Klitsounova's association. . His mission will be to consult with her and the members of her Association, as well as with American and Belorussian officials. His visit will deepen the cooperation with more extensive and detailed joint planning of funding, marketing, and other mutually important aspects of the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry of the two associations and countries.
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