British Airways’ Colm Lacy makes a keynote speech

The very best of St. Kitts tourism providers have been  recognised and celebrated at the 2014 St. Kitts Tourism Experience Awards ‘The Power of Vision, held recently at the island’s exclusive Carambola Beach Club.

Individuals and businesses that have positively impacted the development of St. Kitts tourism were celebrated at the awards ceremony in the presence of tourism officials including Ricky Skerritt Senator the Honourable, Minister of Tourism & International Transport; Marcella Althea Liburd the Honourable, MP, JP, Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs; and Jason Hamilton the Honourable Attorney-General; Mrs Carolyn James CEO (Ag.) of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.

Reflecting the special partnership between St. Kitts and British Airways, VIP guest, Mr Colm Lacy, Head of Gatwick Commercial, was keynote speaker at the awards.  During his address to the audience Lacy said: "British Airways is confident of gradual growth in tourism to the Caribbean from the UK. We are finding new and innovative ways to market to the UK consumer – across all distribution points. However, it is crucial that we all continue to work together to be a success. We should focus on the quality and value of the products and experiences we provide, use innovative collaborative marketing and pay attention to pricing.”

During his speech Mr Lacy also said: "Minister Skerritt and the St. Kitts and Nevis team are to be praised for their collaborative approach to make growth possible and sustainable.”

The first award of the night was the People’s Choice Award, won by Mr. Michael Glasford as a professional individual with knowledge of the tourism industry who strives to exceed customer expectations.

Two Awards of Excellence were presented for an individual or business demonstrating best practices in tourism service, which went to Kendra Jacobs of American Airlines (individual) and to the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (business).  The Environmental Award for businesses practicing sustainability through responsible practices and raising community awareness was given to the Parks and Beaches Unit.

The Kittitian Experience Award, honouring a local business that provides visitors with an experience showcasing Kittitian culture, was earned by the St. Kitts Visitor Channel.  Furthermore, the National Champion Award was bestowed upon Mr. Konris Maynard for his partnership with stakeholders to continuously promote and develop the island’s tourism industry and the Employee of the Year Award for an individual in the hotel or restaurant sector demonstrating exceptional quality of work beyond the call of duty was attained by Joycelyn Nisbett of the Ocean Terrace Inn.

The final two awards of the night recognized an individual or business with many years of service in tourism who serves as a role model for others through a pioneering spirit and willingness to “give back” to the industry.  These were earned by taxi and tour operator Mr. George Scarborough (individual) and by the airline partner bringing the highest numbers of visitors to the destination, American Airlines.

Now in its 14th year, the St. Kitts Tourism Awards brought together industry stakeholders to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions to the development of the St. Kitts tourism product. The event is part of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority's drive to elevate service standards in the island's hospitality industry and encourage the creation of uniquely Kittitian visitor experiences and distinctive service elements that enhance the destination’s competitive position in the regional and global tourism arena.

About St. Kitts

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history.  The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the region’s only scenic railway which connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, ziplining, and more traditional pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Accommodation ranges from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels and resorts. 

St. Kitts is currently served twice weekly on Saturday and Tuesday from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first scheduled carrier to provide regular airlift to the island. The aircraft is a three class, 280 seat Boeing 777, holding 40 Club World seats, 24 World Traveller Plus and 216 World Traveller seats.

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For further information please contact:
Zarina McCulloch
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8203 5011
Email: zarina@talktoriver.com