The CHIEF Awards showcase the Caribbean’s best practices in four main areas of business: Environmental Sustainability, Sales and Marketing, Operations and new this year, Social Responsibility. The most successful, forward-thinking businesses were honored for embodying the Caribbean’s best practices. In front of several hundred attendees, winners were announced at the opening session giving participants a priceless opportunity to network with the honorees and learn from their successes throughout the weekend conference.

CHIEF Awards Environmental Sustainability

WINNER – Bucuti and Tara Beach, Aruba
Aruba currently does not recycle plastic; therefore, Bucuti gives guests a reusable water canteen upon arrival to eliminate plastic bottles. In more than seven years since the program began, it is estimated that Bucuti has kept more than two million plastic bottles out of Aruba’s landfill. Bucuti’s staff, guests and vendors all play a vital role in this green initiative plan.

FINALISTS
• Ocean Terrace Inn / Elegant Hotels Group
• CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa

CHIEF Awards Operations

WINNER – St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association
The SLHTA proposed a private sector initiative known as The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) which was established on 1st October 2013. It aims to allow the tourism industry a greater opportunity to play an integral role in the sustainable development of St. Lucia. The fund is financed by a small, voluntary donation from Hotel guests of $2 USD per night, and goes towards destination marketing, community development and environmental projects and actions which positively affect the livelihoods of current and future generations. This small voluntary fee from visitors allows the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association to support projects which will ensure that St. Lucia is clean and safe for visitors and residents alike, including the beautification of specific areas of the island.

FINALIST
• Elegant Hotels Group

CHIEF Awards Sales & Marketing

WINNER – Aruba Tourism Authority
Aruba is the most tourism dependent island in the world thus it is the aim of the Aruba Tourism Authority to increase stay-over visitors to Aruba and also increase visitor’s Average Daily Expenditure, and overall tourism receipts. The Aruba Tourism Authority’s “Local Shortcut Series” set out to broaden the perception of Aruba launched with nearly 40 different locally guided videos focusing on Local Art & Music, Signature Cuisine and Aruba Adventurous side and included long-format webisodes as well as bite-sized video content for digital and social media. The “Local Shortcut Series” was integrated across YouTube, aruba.com and supported by digital ads, native content, social media, eCRM, and public relations.

FINALISTS
• The Crane
• Elegant Hotels Group

CHIEF Awards Social Responsibility

WINNER – Hyatt Regency, Trinidad
Hyatt Thrive Platform of Corporate responsibility “is built on the understanding that their actions can create long-term value for the people and the communities where we work, while also helping to protect the planet for future generations.” Since its opening in 2008, Hyatt Regency Trinidad and its associates have assisted a number of non-profit organizations and causes, and became a donor partner of United Way Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. The hotel also supports its own colleagues and shares a strong concern for the environment.

FINALISTS
• St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association
• Bucuti and Tara Beach, Aruba

To view all of the best practices for each of the winners and finalists, CLICK HERE.

To view the photo gallery of the awards, CLICK HERE.