Historic Tours of America establishes new scholarship for Flagler College Hospitality and Tourism Management Program

St. Augustine, Fla. – June 29, 2023 – Dave Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine and Historic Tours of America, announced today the local hospitality and tourism company has established a new scholarship to help students with financial aid in Flagler’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTM).
 
According to Chatterton, his organization promotes and encourages careers in hospitality and tourism. “The industry has provided a fulfilling and rewarding quality of life for myself and thousands of current and former employees, CASTmembers, who work at Historic Tours of America,” he said. “Our profession can teach important life skills like servant leadership, communication, problem-solving, and etiquette. We are proud and enthusiastic to offer this scholarship to students in need to help them achieve their personal and career goals.”
 
Chatterton is immersed in promoting the region’s workforce as chairman of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism and Hospitality Council. He recently accepted the award for his company with the 2023 Tourism Impact Award during St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau’s (VCB) State of the Tourism Industry event held in May, among others.
                                                                                                           
The Historic Tours of America Endowed Scholarship for Hospitality and Tourism Management will be matched by a one-to-one grant provided by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.
 
Since the early 1970s, Historic Tours of America offers tours, attractions, and excursions in St. Augustine, Boston, Key West, San Diego, Savannah, Nashville, and Washington D.C. The company was originally founded in Key West to transport retail customers along Duval Street and currently entertains more than three million guests annually.
 
“Historic Tours of America has been and continues to be one of the strongest supporters of the HTM Program at Flagler College,” said David Rivera, Freytag Professor of Hospitality and Tourism. “The financial assistance will provide an endowed scholarship to help to alleviate the financial burden of tuition and other fees for students,” he said. “This will allocate funds in studies, and participation in extracurricular activities without the added stress of financial constraints.”
 
Since its creation in 2015, the focused education has been among Flagler’s most popular innovative and immersive courses. Annual events of the program include the St. Augustine Spanish Food and Wine Festival with students who organize, manage, and execute a major hospitality event under the guidance of local professionals, along with additional events and activities.
 
“This is a mutually beneficial partnership. Historic Tours of American will have contact with highly talented students seeking real-world experience, networking opportunities, and potential job prospects upon graduation,” said Rivera. For more information, contact Dave Chatterton at (904) 829-3800 or email dchatterton@historictours.com, and Jeff Davitt, Flagler College Senior Director of Development at JDavitt@flagler.edu.
 
Old Town Trolley Tours provided transportation, performances with young talent in the community, and additional entertainment for this year’s event. Each year, visitors and residents tour the historic city with 21 Old Town Trolley stops, visitor amenities, and more than 100 points of interest. For more information, visit https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine.