Nominations open for tourism awards
(L-R) Director of Tourism Rosa Harris presents the 2016 Rising Star Award to Kimberley Conolly
(CNS Local Life): Nominations are open for the 14th annual Cayman Stingray Tourism Awards, which recognise high achievers working in the industry. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) will be hosting the awards ceremony on Tuesday, 20 June 2017. “Once a year we get to recognise the true heroes of tourism in front of Industry leaders and Government officials,” said Gaetan Babin, CITA executive board director and events planning team member, as he encouraged companies “to spotlight your talented employees at this very prestigious event”.
The main purpose of the CITA’s Stingray Tourism Awards is to shine a bright light on the hardworking and devoted individuals within the local tourism industry, stated a CITA press release. The awards highlight the efforts and accomplishments of personnel that have set themselves apart from the rest through their stellar service both behind the scenes and in the eye of the consumer.
Tiffany Dixon-Ebanks, CITA executive director, said of the honours: “As our annual awards have become very popular over the years, the ‘competition’ gets stiffer each year. We find that there are several well-deserving and worthy individuals vying to take home the one coveted trophy per awards category. If only we could give to everyone!”
CITA’s newly appointed president Theresa Leacock-Broderick added, “We all take pride in the many tourism destination accolades the Cayman Islands garners and in earning the loyalty of the thousands of visitors who return year after year.
“But our tourism successes would not be possible without the talent and dedication of the many individuals who work throughout the industry.
”The Stingray Tourism Awards honors a few of the most outstanding each year and as we hear their stories throughout the evening, we get a glimpse of the passion and the personal pride in what they do each day in delivering service excellence for Cayman’s tourism. It is these remarkable individuals that make the Stingray Tourism Awards gala truly an evening of celebration and inspiration.”
In addition to awards in the sectors of accommodations; watersports; restaurants; and allied, attractions and transportation, CITA members can nominate someone for the Rising Star Award, which is presented to a newcomer to the industry who shows promise in the field of tourism.
There is also the Diamond Award (previously called the Long Service Award), presented to an industry veteran who has been working hospitality for more than 20 years. Lastly, there is the special Lifetime Achievement Award that will be presented on the night.
2016 Rising Star recipient, Kimberley Conolly of The Wick Candles & Scents, said, “Tourism is my passion and I live for it! I would really love to see more young Caymanians show interest in representing themselves and their country in this awesome industry.”
Jay Mehta of Netclues, who won the 2016 Allied Employee of the Year Award, added, “I feel very proud of the recognition in these prestigious tourism awards. It’s really more about doing something to promote the country and act to its benefits, than the award.”
Nominations will be accepted through 4pm Wednesday, 24 May 2017.
The awards, to be held at the Kimpton Seafire Resort, will start at 6pm with a cocktail/welcome reception, followed by the awards presentation and dinner at 7p.m. Tickets can be reserved through the CITA office (949-8522) for $90 per person, or $850 for a table of 10.
For information on the nomination process go to the CITA website
Category: Tourism
