Supporters of the ever popular Star Awards event hosted by TCHTA came out in their numbers on Thursday February 26 to celebrate the achievements of the finest tourism, leisure and hospitality employees, businesses and partners throughout TCI.
The 7th annual Star Awards event took place at a sold-out and transformed Tropicana Show and Supper Club venue and included breathtaking performances by Clement Howell High School and Wesley Methodist High School. As resident emcee E Jay Saunders and first timer Veronica Clare announced the winners the crowd erupted in thunderous applause as their favourites was named winners of the coveted 17 awards. Taking home the awards were:
Bartender of the Year – Carlton “The Doc” Waite, Regent Palms
Housekeeper of the Year – Rangitha Mohottallage, Seven Stars Resorts
Taxi Driver of the Year – Gustavus Francis
Employee of the Year – Lila Upreti, Seven Stars Resort
Supervisor of the Year – Ricardo Cyriaque, Gansevoort Turks & Caicos
Heart of Hospitality – Emelito Amores, Regent Palms
Ambassador of the Year – Fredrico Johnson, Beaches TCI
TCHTA’s Shining Star – Mona Beeson, The Sands at Grace Bay
Chef of the Year – Lauren Callighen, Regent Palms
Manager of the Year – Jamila Lowe, AIB Hotel & Restaurant Supplies
Allied Member of the Year – Marco Travel/Turtle Tours
Hotelier of the Year – Yolander Forbes, Parrot Cay Resort
Restaurant of the Year – Seven Restaurant, Seven Stars Resort
Hotel of the Year – Regent Palms
Entertainer of the Year – David Bowen
New to the star-studded event this year were two exciting categories, Fan Favourite and Hospitality Hero, which allowed the general public to vote for their favourite nominees by liking their photos on the Association’s Facebook page. After the votes were tallied Fan Favourite was awarded to Melanie Smith of Seven Stars Resort with a resounding 450 plus likes, with Hospitality Hero Jamy Williams of Coral Gardens receiving over 200 votes online.
Stacy Cox, TCHTA’s Executive Director expressed her delight at the success of the event by stating, “Our 2015 event was without a doubt an exciting one as we had much to celebrate throughout our industry which stands poised for unprecedented growth in the coming years given the buoyancy of TCI’s economy. Acknowledging, rewarding and promoting service excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry will be a long-term objective of the Association and because of the industry’s proven role in stimulating economic growth, employment generation and social integration, honouring our employees, the lifeline of the industry is something the Association will continue to do for years to come.”
Cox added, “Our tourism product can compete with the best of the best, with our fantastic range of diverse accommodation, activities, fabulous places to eat but without the plethora of people who go out of their way to give our visitors a warm welcome, our product would not strive or develop as much as it has. As we promote excellence and recognise the efforts put in by various stakeholders in the development and promotion of TCI’s Tourism product, the Association would like to encourage all tourism partners to continuously work together with an innovative mind and positive approach for development of the industry in a sustainable and responsible manner and encourage all persons and companies with a vested interest in the industry to keep raising their own standards. Let us all continue to work together to show that TCI has the potential to become the best tourist destination in the world.”
The evening’s proceedings also saw the Association recognising its TCHTA’s Board of Directors whose tender ends March 31, 2015 as well as persons who were instrumental in the conceptualisation and development of the event. Karen Whitt, Caesar Campbell and Nicholette Thomas were recognised for developing and perfecting the event with the dream of acknowledging and awarding the industry’s shining stars and tourism partners. For the first few years of the event’s existence the team worked tirelessly to promote Star Awards ensuring that each February the tourism sector came alive as employees and employers discussed the various nominations from their respective companies.
With more sponsors like premier sponsor Scotia Bank coming on board each year thanks to the efforts of the Star Awards Committee and with new venues being afforded the opportunity to host the event the Association looks forward to taking the event to greater heights. Special thanks was given to sponsors:
ScotiaBank
Delta Airlines
Olympia Destination Management Company
Discovery Tours and Adventures
Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association
Blue Heron Aviation
Caicos Dream Tours
CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank
CSC Insurance Brokers
FedEx
FortisTCI
Gilley’s Enterprises/ The Wine Cellar
Graceway IGA
LIME
Royal Bank of Canada
TCI Hospitality Supplies
T&C Islands Airports Authority
T & C Tourist Board
Uni-Source/ AIB
Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
Spa Tropique
Wrightfully Fit Gymnasium
TCI Ferry & Crusin’
The Sands at Grace Bay
Seven Stars Resort
Regent Palms
Parrot Cay Resort
Islandcom
Jai’s
Grace Bay Club
Gansevoort
Easy Car Rentals – North Caicos
Digicel
Blue Horizon Resort – Middle Caicos
Beaches
Automotive Art TCI
Amanyara
