2024 BHTA Tourism Awards Gala Introduces New Award Categories for Excellence in Barbados Hospitality Industry

FOUR NEW Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) awards have been added to the list of prestigious awards up for grabs this year at the Association’s 2024 Tourism Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 8 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa.

Chairman of the Association, Renée Coppin, stated that the new award categories are the BHTA Transportation Provider of the Year, Special Award (in any endeavour), Bartender/Mixologist of the Year and Chef of the Year.

She explained that the new awards were added to highlight key contributors to the excellence of our tourism product and experience: “Tourism service is diverse and multifaceted, but we certainly feel that these awards shine a needed spotlight, and the special award allows us the opportunity to reward someone who may not fit neatly into the established categories.

“The Transportation Provider of the Year award will go to a company, co-operative or taxi/rental company which has provided exemplary service to the industry in all sectors (cruise, tours, etc.), while the Special Award will be presented to an individual, company or corporation operating within Barbados that demonstrated exceptional service, outstanding acts, professionalism, and dedication towards the nation’s response in any particular endeavour.”

Coppin added that the BHTA Bartender/Mixologist of the Year Award will be presented to a bartender who is employed either in an independent bar or within a hotel, possesses excellent mixology skills, and is well-versed in making cocktails and mixing alcoholic drinks with a wide range of spirits, among other skills.

“Likewise, the Chef of the Year Award will go to a chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive role model for other food professionals on his team and otherwise. He/she should be a chef for a minimum of three years and should demonstrate flair, creativity and culinary skills in creating recipes for both local and other cuisines,” she explained.

The biennial awards ceremony, held at the end of the two-year tenure of each BHTA Chairman to celebrate the outstanding contribution of BHTA members to the tourism industry, is sponsored by Gallagher Insurance Barbados Brokers Limited and will also feature Hotel of the Year (Luxury), A Class, B-Class, Apartments, and Vacation Rental Property Management Company of the Year award categories.

Other awards include the Business Excellence of the Year Award in the categories Restaurant Member, Tourism Attraction, Supporting Member, Tourism Industry Supplier and Tourism Industry Partner; the BHTA Environmental and Sustainability Award; Social Responsibility Award; the Employee of the Year Award; and the Life Time Achievement Award.

Coppin noted that the nomination process closes on Wednesday, May 22 and is open to any person, accommodation property, restaurant, activity or attraction, industry supplier, service provider, or supporter of the industry. She said, “The nomination should be for outstanding performance and contribution to the growth, development, and sustainability of the tourism industry. The only criterion is that the nominee must be a member of the BHTA.”

The 2022 BHTA awardees were Sandy Lane Hotel, Little Arches Boutique Hotel, Eco Lifestyle & Lodge, Blue Sky Luxury, Chefette Restaurants Ltd., Atlantis Submarines Barbados, Gallagher, Flow Barbados/C&W Business, Enterprise Growth Fund Ltd., The Crane, Hanif Walcott, Jackie White and Sunil Chatrani. (PR)