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National Hotel and Tourism Association
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Caribbean Hotelier of the Year

The Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, recognizes excellence in Caribbean hotel operations by demonstrating superior achievement in: Resort Operations, Food & Beverage, Marketing and Sales, Resort Maintenance, Staff Training and Motivation, Innovative Management, Environmental Practices, Community Affairs, and Involvement with National and Regional (CHTA) lodging industry associations. This award is sponsored by CHTA and MMGY.

WINNERS

2021 – Kevin Hendrickson, Jamaica
2020 – Leo Garbutt, Grenada
2019 – Sunil Chatrani, Barbados
2017 – Simón Suárez, Dominican Republic
2016 – Stuart Bowe, Bahamas
2015 – Adam Stewart, Bahamas
2013 – George Markantonis, Bahamas
2012 – Karolin Troubetzkoy, St. Lucia
2010 – David Dodwell, Bermuda
2009 – Richard Doumeng, St. Thomas, USVI
2007 – Josef Forstmayr, Jamaica
2006 – Anthony Bowen, St. Lucia
2005 – Eustace Guishard, Anguilla
2004 – Robert Dubourcq, Sint Maarten
2003 – Berthia M. Parle, MBE, St. Lucia
2002 – Ewald Biemans, Aruba
2001 – Robert Sherman, Antigua
2000 – Peter Odle, Barbados
1999 – William Aguiton, Trinidad
1998 – Frank Rainieri, Dominican Republic
1997 – Stephen Sawyer, Bahamas
1996 – Ed Malone, Aruba
1995 – Ralph Taylor, Barbados
1994 – John Issa, Jamaica
1993 – Betty Sperber, St. Croix, USVI
1992 – Butch Stewart, Jamaica
1991 – Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, Grenada
1990 – John Jefferis, Bermuda
1989 – Alfred Taylor, Barbados
1988 – Dick & Joyce Doumeng, St. Thomas, USVI
1987 – Ken Kennedy, Jamaica
1986 – Hugh Andrews, Puerto Rico
1985 – Richard Williams, Barbados
1984 – Lorette Resch, St. Thomas
1983 – Osmund Kelsick, Antigua
1982 – Jag Mehta, Jamaica
1981 – Heinz E.W. Simonitsch, Jamaica
1980 – George Myers, Bahamas
1979 – Howard Hulford, Antigua
1978 – Ike Cohen, Aruba

Caribbean Allied Member of the Year

Candidates for this award are evaluated taking into consideration their efforts in the following key areas: volunteer work with CHTA; membership development; fundraising activities; advocacy activities on behalf of CHTA; motivation of others, work with national hotel associations, and involvement in regional tourism activities, among others.

WINNERS

2018 – Neil Kolton, Interval International
2017 – Edward “Eddie” Weitz, CMHS, Edward Weitz, Inc
2016 – Ernest Dwight, President, Southwood Corp., CHTAEF Auction Committee Chair
2015 – William “Bill” Clegg, Choice Hotels International
2011 – Louise John, Talkabout & Earth Solutions
2008 – David Callaghan, Interval International, Inc.
2007 – Willem Jonckheer, Curacao Hospitality & Tourism Association
2006 – George de Mercado, Air Jamaica
2005 – Pat Ecke, The New York Times
2004 – Tom Pas, Pas Purchasing
2003 – Bob Troni, American Airlines
2002 – Allen Chastanet, Air Jamaica
2001 – Doria Camaraza, American Express
2000 – Richard Kahn, Kahn Travel Communications
1999 – Warren Binder, Creative Travel Consultants
1998 – James Weitkamp, Harbor Linen
1997 – Gonzalo Ruiz, American Express

Caribbean Association Executive of the Year

The candidates for these awards are evaluated taking into consideration their achievements in the following key areas: administration; communications; membership development; advocacy; destination marketing and promotion; product improvement; motivation of volunteers; meetings planning and management; fundraising; private/public sector relationship; regional tourism affairs; and relationship with his or her fellow hotel association executives across the region.

National Hotel Association Executive of the Year

2019 – Wyb Meijer, Executive Director of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA)

2018 – Stacy Cox, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
2017 – Lisa Hamilton, US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
2016 – James Hepple, President & CEO – Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association
2015 – Neil Forrester, Antigua Hotel and Tourism Association
2012 – Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association

Small Association of the Year

Previous winners
2008 – Trudy Nixon, Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association
2007 – Bernadette Nathaniel, Trinidad Hotels, Restaurant & Tourism Association
2006 – Don Werdekker, Curacao Hospitality and Tourism Association
2005 – Alice Thomas-Roberts, Grenda Hotel and Tourism Association
2004 – Mimi Gratton, Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association
2003 – Caesar Campbell, Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
2002 – Dawn Smith, St. Vincent & The Grenadines Hotel and Tourism Association
2001 – Rodinald Soomer, St. Lucia Hotel Association
2000 – Mimi Gratton, Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association
1999 – Marc van de Bilt, St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association
1998 – Noel Lynch, Barbados Hotel And Tourism Association

Large Association of the Year

Previous winners
2008 – Clarissa Jimenez, Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association
2007 – Arturo Villanueva, Asociacion Nacional de Hoteles y Restaurantes (ASONAHORES)
2006 – Jorge Pesquera, Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association
2005 – Frank Comito, Bahamas Hotel Association
2004 – Sue Springer, The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association
2003 – John Harvey, Bermuda Hotel Association
2002 – Camille Needham, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association
2001 – Bernadette Nathaniel, Trinidad
2000 – Beverly Nicholson, St. Thomas/ St. John Hotel & Tourism Association
1999 – Val Henry, St. Kitts Hotel Association
1998 – Nadine Battle, British Virgin Islands Hotel Association

Caribbean Employee of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding hospitality employee who exemplifies above-average technical competence and hospitality skills.

WINNERS

2019 – Berlinda Engelhardt, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

2018 – Harold Rasmijn, Manchebo Beach Resort, Aruba
2017 – Obrian Forde, Jus’ Sail Ltd.
2016 – Heather Hinds, General Cook – The Club Barbados Resort & Spa
2015 – Andre James, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Trinidad
2011 – Kendra A. Daniel, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, USVI
2010 – Rodney Howell, Southern Palms Hotel, Barbados
2009 – Della Iochia Clara John, Sandals Regency La Toc, St. Lucia
2008 – Albert Gurley, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
2007 – Dorcas Alexander, The Westin Resort, St. John
2006 – Avril Cully, Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Aruba
2005 – Dellarese Willimae Frazer, Radisson cable Beach & Golf Resort, Bahamas
2004 – Leroy Jordan, Hyatt Grand Cayman
2003 – Patricia Maskall, Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina. Belize
2002 – Harold Shepard, Sandpiper Hotel, Barbados
2001 – Nataly Sint Jago, Avila Beach Hotel, Curacao
2000 – Harry Vientos, Puerto Rico
1999 – Roslyn Jeffers, St. Kitts and Nevis
1998 – Earl Wattley, USVI
1997 – Edwin Webster, Anguilla
1996 – Sheldon Saunders, Lucayan Beach Resort, Bahamas
1991- Kenrick Weatrherhead

Caribbean Supervisor of the Year

This award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in their management abilities.

WINNERS

2019 – Luis de Jesus, Security Supervisor at El Conquistador, the Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico

2018 – Nandana Kandabadage, Seven Stars Resort, Turks and Caicos
2017 – Marcia Rhoden-Morris, The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
2016 – Derrick Wright, Income Auditor – The Tryall Club
2015 – Lissa Cuffy, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, USVI
2011 – Samuel Estrada, San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, PR
2010 – Lino van der Biezen, Westin Resort Aruba
2009 – Kevin V. McKenzie, Atlantis Resort – Kerzner International, Bahamas
2008 – Phyllis Johnson-Smith, Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, The Bahamas
2007 – Cristina Guillén, Sunscape Casa del Mar Hotel in La Romana, Dominican Republic
2006 – Raymond V. Lowe, Green Turtle Club, Bahamas
2005 – Urban Augustine, Windjammer Landing Resort, St. Lucia
2004 – Doris Dreischor, Golden Tulip Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba
2003 – Clarissa Simpson, Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
2002 – Alfredo Camacho, The Ritz Carlton San Juan, Puerto Rico
2001 – Gladys Freites, La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort, Aruba
2000 – Francis Ridderstap, Aruba
1999 – God Victor Torres, PR and Sharon Alexander, BVI
1998 – Anghel George, BVI
1997 – Robert Mitchell, USVI
1996 – Annando Rios, Hyatt Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico
1991 – Norica Cummins

Bill Bissell Lifetime Achievement Award

The Bill Bissell Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual who over his or her lifetime has made a difference in our industry by their actions, contributions and great accomplishments in the Caribbean region and beyond.

WINNERS
2011 – Hon. Heinz E.W. Simonitsch, CD, Grandhotel Lienz and CHTA Past President
2010 – Frank and Haydee Rainieri, Grupo PuntaCana
2009 – Sir Royston Hopkin, K.C.M.G., Spice Island Beach Resort
2008 – Bill Bissell, OBM International
2007 – Peter Dolara, American Airlines
2006 – Sol Kerzner, Kerzner Resorts International
2005 – Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Sandals Resorts
2004 – Chris Blackwell, Island Outpost

Taste of the Caribbean Awards

Taste of the Caribbean 2019

  • WINNER: Barbados
  • GOLD MEDALS: Barbados and Cayman Islands
  • SILVER MEDALS: Bahamas, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos
  • BRONZE MEDALS: Belize, Grenada, St. Lucia, Suriname

For a complete list of all award categories and 2019 winners, CLICK HERE. For more information on Taste of the Caribbean, CLICK HERE.

CHIEF Awards

The CHIEF Awards shine a spotlight the Caribbean Hospitality and Tourism industry’s tried and true best practices, and the Caribbean businesses that masterfully implement them for the betterment of the industry and the region.

CHIEF Award Categories:

  • Operations
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Technology

For more information on CHIEF AWARD WINNERS, CLICK HERE