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Honor Presented by Caribbean Tourism Organization June 10, 2011 at Plaza Hotel in New York

NEW YORK, NY – Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, owner and chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort (http://www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com) in Grenada, has received the ultimate honor from the Caribbean governments with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Lifetime Achievement Award for 2011.  He is the first hotelier and Grenadian to receive this accolade from the governments which follows his being knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).

He was presented with the prestigious CTO Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York on June 10.

Caption (l-r): CHTA Director General & CEO Alec Sanguinetti,
Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Tillman Thomas, Sir Royston Hopkin
and Senator Hon. Ricky Skerritt, Chairman of CTO

“It is a true honor to be recognized by the Caribbean governments and the ministers and directors of tourism with the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Sir Royston, who used his acceptance speech to appeal to Caribbean prime ministers, tourism ministers and other government officials to commit to a policy-driven strategic approach to a consolidated regional marketing program for the Caribbean.

“For years we have been unable to get together while other regions of the world have been promoting themselves in a unified manner,” said Sir Royston.  “These regions will surpass us if we don’t get our act together,” he cautioned.

“If we can recognize that travel and tourism is so important to our economies as the single largest contributor to GDP in the Caribbean, isn’t it high time we commit ourselves to a sustainable approach to marketing?

“We need a joint marketing program, not only for the U.S., but for all of North America, the UK and Europe,” challenged Sir Royston.  “And it needs to be policy driven.

“Once our governments agree on a consolidated program that is policy driven, the entire private sector will get behind it – the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, the airlines, all tourism stakeholders coming together as one unit.

“We’ve been talking for two decades, but have achieved little momentum because we’re competing against each other instead of pooling our resources.  And as we are fragmented, so has been the private sector’s support for our largest industry.  And now it’s reached the point where we’re falling behind as a region,” noted Sir Royston.

“The world is in such dire financial crisis, we can’t afford to continue with business as usual.  As the backbone of our economies, tourism deserves more than just lip service.  Now is the time to come together.  It’s a simple matter of survival.”

Sir Royston’s impassioned plea to Caribbean governments was equally balanced with remarks of elation and gratitude:

“I am fortunate to be able to contribute to both Grenada and the wider Caribbean community and thankful for the recognition that my efforts over the years have received.  I thank all of those with whom I have worked in Grenada and throughout the region, and I hope to have touched their lives in some small way as all of them have enriched my life over the past 47 years.

“I firmly believe in the richness of the Caribbean’s natural resources and culture, and am proud to work each day for the sustainability of our region’s tourism.  My career has blessed my family with opportunities to live, learn and share and we strive to always offer our time, talent and resources to help others achieve their dreams – from vacations, to employment, to the overall betterment of the region.”

Caption (l-r): CHTA Director General & CEO Alec Sanguinetti, Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Tillman Thomas,
Nerissa Hopkin, Sir Royston Hopkin, Lady Betty Hopkin, Janelle Hopkin, Ryan Hopkin and Arnold Hopkin

The CTO Lifetime Achievement Award honors long-serving, high-performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference in the Caribbean.  The award is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution.  It recognizes achievement that distinguishes the individual’s work and provides a legacy for future generations.

“Sir Royston has been a faithful servant of Grenadian and Caribbean tourism and his dedication has been fully demonstrated through his many outstanding achievements,” said Hugh Riley, CTO’s secretary general.

Sir Royston joins a list of prominent figures to receive the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award, including: Harry Belafonte; Sir Sidney Poitier; Cicely Tyson; New York Congressman Charles Rangel; American Airlines Senior Vice President Peter Dolara; former Barbados Tourism Minister Dame Billie Miller; the former West Indies cricketer Wes Hall; University of the West Indies Professor Rex Nettleford; founder of Black Enterprise magazine Earl Gilbert Graves, Sr.; the organization’s first Secretary General Jean Holder; and last year’s winner Dame Yvonne Maginley.

A virtual lifetime of high performance, dedicated service to his country and the Caribbean, Sir Royston has had an extensive and distinguished 47-year career of outstanding service in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Sir Royston began his tourism career when he joined the family business at the Ross Point Inn in 1965.  Then, at the age of 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism where he served for 18 consecutive years.  He holds the distinction of being the first Grenadian to be elected president of the Grenada Hotel Association (an accomplishment at the age of 24), a position he held 14 times.

In the ensuing years, Sir Royston’s contributions have touched almost every sector of Grenadian society, with his luxury award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort employing more than 200 people.  Sir Royston established a scholarship fund for needy children from which 110 students have benefitted, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the private and public sectors.  He has also worked with the Grenada Union of Teachers and the Ministry of Education to enlighten educators about the tourism industry and has hosted 200 teachers and their spouses at his resort for a weekend to give them an opportunity to understand the hotel component of the industry.

Regionally, Sir Royston has served in various capacities in CHTA including many years on the Board of Directors and a two-year term as president followed by chairman of the association.  He founded the Small Hotels Committee, which today is still one of the most important sub-committees of that organization.

He is also a member of CHTA’s executive committee and is founding member and chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), the largest private sector sustainable organization in the region.

Sir Royston is the recipient of several prestigious awards including CHTA’s coveted “Hotelier of the Year” honor (in 1991), Grenada’s Silver Anniversary Independence Awards for 25 years of dedicated service, and several other awards from the Grenada Hotel Association.  The CTO previously honored Sir Royston for 25 years of loyalty and service to the region.

Perhaps his greatest honor occurred in December 2004, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II graciously conferred the title of Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) for his contribution to tourism in Grenada and throughout the Caribbean.  Sir Royston is married to Lady Hopkin (Betty), and has three children, Ryan, Nerissa and Janelle.

For more information about the award-winning 64-suite Spice Island Beach Resort, visit www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com, call 473-444-4258 or e-mail: reservations@spicebeachresort.com.

For further information on the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award, visit www.onecaribbean.org or contact the CTO New York office at CTOny@caribtourism.com.

Prepared by Louise John

KTCpr

(Contact) T.Rapp@KTCpr.com

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (June 14, 2011) – Virgin Holidays, through its longstanding partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Education Foundation has awarded its 2011 Caribbean Scholarship to Shanelle Rodney from Grenada who is all set to begin studying for her B.Sc. in Sports, Events & Entertainment Management at Johnson & Wales University, Miami, in September.  Johnson & Wales University has added a tuition award to the Virgin Holidays scholarship giving a total award of US$45,000 over three years of study through the CHTA Education Foundation.

Ms. Rodney cried with happiness on learning she had won the CHTAEF top award, “these respected professional companies have proven that my dreams are not far-fetched and I can contribute to the diversity and growth of the Grenadian tourism product through interactive events for locals and visitors alike while bringing all public sectors to actively participate in the tourism product & evolution process”.  Grenada now boasts two Virgin Holidays Scholars – Maxine Pierre, the 2008 receipient, and Ms. Rodney.

Johanna Kostka, Virgin Holidays Grenad, and Shanelle Rodney, 2011 Virgin Holidays scholarship recipient

Amanda Wills, managing director, Virgin Holidays, said, ”We love to see youth shine and we know that Shanelle is going to be an important and influential voice in the Caribbean tourism industry in the coming years.  The Caribbean, with its world famous hospitality, beautiful sights and fantastic people has long been a favourite of our customers, and we’re proud to give something back through this very successful scholarship programme with CHTAEF, which we have supported since 2005.”

Full details about the CHTAEducation Foundation and past scholars can be found on the website www.chtaeducationfoundation.com.

About the CHTA Education Foundation:

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) was established in 1987 as a stand-alone non-profit / tax-exempt organization, through which scholarships and special assistance would be made available for the education of Caribbean hotel industry personnel and students pursuing careers in tourism. As part of its mission, theEducation Foundation provides people throughout the Caribbean region with an awareness of the industry’s varied career opportunities, as well as technical and professional development. Since 1987, the Education Foundation has awarded over a US$1.25 million in scholarships and grants to applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hotel and tourism industry.

The Education Foundation is also active in supporting Haitians students & industry personnel following the earthquake in January 2010 by facilitating a holistic Spoken English/ Practical Hospitality Skills & Academic training project in Port au Prince.

For more information www.chtaeducationfoundation.com

Artist's rendition of Baha Mar

History of Baha Mar

The vision of Baha Mar started more than five years ago when Baha Mar Development Company was formed. Baha Mar designed a plan to deliver an authentic Caribbean experience incorporating the essence and spirit of The Bahamas and to revitalize Nassau’s Cable Beach area, which was once a popular vacation destination.

Artist's rendition of Baha Mar's Casino

In March 2005, Baha Mar Development acquired the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, Radisson Cable Beach & Golf Resort and the Nassau Beach Hotel.

Baha Mar consolidated the three hotels, which were located adjacent to one another along 3,000 feet of Nassau’s largest and most beautiful beach, into one resort complex – resulting in the second largest resort in the Caribbean. The three properties formed what was known as Cable Beach Resorts and offered an expansive set of cross-property amenities and services for guests to enjoy, no matter where they stayed.

Since then, Baha Mar has invested approximately $145 million in capital improvements to Cable Beach Resorts, which have led to a revival of the destination.

Artist's rendition of Baha Mar's Casino Hotel

In June 2007, the Radisson was converted to the all-new Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort following a dramatic renovation. Still owned by Baha Mar, the Sheraton is currently operated and managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

In preparation for the expected Baha Mar expansion, the Nassau Beach Hotel closed in January 2008, while the Wyndham and Crystal Palace Casino received a number of upgrades, such as renovated accommodations, new dining options, redesigned exterior and interior spaces, new guest amenities and services and a new entertainment program.

Together, the Wyndham and Sheraton offer guests 1,250 guest rooms and suites, most offering incredible ocean views; a 30,000 square foot full-service casino; more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space; 15 restaurants and lounges; a complete tennis facility; an 18-hole resort golf course; over a half mile of Nassau’s best beach; and a variety of water sport activities. In addition, the resorts are conveniently located within 20 minutes of the airport.

Baha Mar's proposed lobby

The revitalization of the Cable Beach properties is the prelude to Baha Mar, which is expected to become the Caribbean’s largest single-phase destination resort. The $3.6 billion Baha Mar will offer approximately 3,800 hotel rooms, including 300 residential condos and villas available for private ownership. In addition, Baha Mar will provide tremendous economic benefits to The Bahamas—from hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues, to approximately 8,500 new jobs.

Groundbreaking for Baha Mar took place in February 2011, with the entire project scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.

Supplementary: http://caribhype.com/news/februarys-editorial-china-to-the-caribbean-we-stay/

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., one of Haiti’s largest foreign investors for almost 30 years, today announced the completion of the L’Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean – one of the first schools to be built in Haiti after the earthquake. The strategically located 6,500 square foot school complex is in northern Haiti near nine towns and villages: Labadie, Cormier, Ducroix, Fort Bourgeois, Marchegalles, Cimetiere-Juif, Champ de Mars, Port Francais and Cap Haitien.

The campus consists of six buildings, with 12 classrooms, administrative offices, a computer lab and bathrooms. The school will provide children from the area an education, including classes in English and environmental stewardship. In the evenings adults will attend vocational training.

In delivering the school to the Haitian people as promised, Royal Caribbean worked with South Florida based InnoVida and the St. Coleman’s School, as well as Haiti based ProDev, L’Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje and the Solano Foundation.

The school is on land Royal Caribbean leases from the Haitian government. Royal Caribbean worked with InnoVida and used the company’s Fiber Composite Panels to build the entire school complex in only four weeks, using 50 local Haitian workers, in time for the 2010-2011 school year.

All construction materials were transported from Miami onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. InnoVida’s structures can sustain hurricane winds, resist earthquakes due to their high deflection capacity, are waterproof and are a highly energy efficient system.

This first school will be a primary school for grades kindergarten through 5. There will be three kindergarten classes with 36 students, and each grade 1 through 5 will have 25 students, for a minimum of 230 children educated this school year. Royal Caribbean’s next Haitian school building project is entering into the planning stages now.

Continuing its tradition of promoting innovation and creativity, Royal Caribbean partnered with the YMCA of Greater Miami and provided children an opportunity to name the school in Haiti. Out of the more than 3,000 submissions received, a seventh grader from the YMCA afterschool program in Miami Lakes proposed the winning name L’Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean.

Beginning just three days after the earthquake, Royal Caribbean transported more than 3,000 pallets of much needed supplies on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises ships that called on Labadee.

 Also, to date, Royal Caribbean’s monetary contribution to the Haiti relief effort is at least $2.5 million, which includes money raised from the donated Labadee calls, the onboard guest donations, and matching funds. The company’s operations at Labadee impact over 500 local Haitians who are either employees or vendors at Labadee commuting from nearby villages. Royal Caribbean also employs over 200 Haitian crew members onboard ships.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and three under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America.

Source: www.caribbeannewsdigital.com

Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts will unveil the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, following a recent transformation and renovation. The 121-acre property, located on Macao Beach, will open Nov. 1, 2010, as the first all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. A star-studded rock ‘n’ roll grand opening event is slated for January 2011.

The 1,800 room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana brings together the best of the former Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort amenities and the vibe of the Hard Rock brand to create a top resort destination in the Caribbean. This fall, in celebration of the opening, visitors to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana receive a $350 airfare credit per person, based on the adult rate with a maximum of two people, for travel through Dec. 15 and a 20 percent discount off the average daily rate for travel through Dec. 23, 2010. Guests can also take advantage of a $1,500 Resort Credit for use toward room upgrades, spa and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, romantic dinners, Precious Wedding Collection packages and off-site excursions, all when booking a five-night stay or longer.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will offer deluxe accommodations featuring the Hard Rock’s signature “Rock Star Suite,” the signature Rock Spa, a celebrity chef-branded restaurant, iconic music memorabilia, a Vegas-style casino and the Oro nightclub created by the Miami Marketing Group.

The Rock Spa will feature hydrotherapy circuits, clay steam and color therapy steam rooms, saunas, a sensory experience pool and an innovative ice room for skin purification. Celebrity chef Kerry Simon, dubbed the “Rock n’ Roll chef” by Rolling Stone Magazine, is unveiling his latest restaurant at the resort.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will also feature 48,000-square-foot casino, including a high-limit poker room, VIP lounge, race and sports book, 457 slot machines and 40 gaming tables. The Oro nightclub will introduce haute nightlife to Punta Cana.

The property is equipped to handle the largest events, from full-blown rock concerts, to small, intimate occasions, offering more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Golf enthusiasts can try the 18-hole Nicklaus-designed golf course. Guests also enjoy 11 pools, four swim-up bars, kids’ pool and lazy river ride.

Source: www.caribbeannewsdigital.com

Bermuda will soon welcome the luxury brand group Park Hyatt to its shores with the commitment of a $300 million investment into a new resort development.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism has been working to bring the multi-million dollar project to fruition since 2007. Previously, Park Hyatt had agreed to manage the project, which is located on the former Club Med site in the historic town of St. George’s, Bermuda(a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

According to Bermuda’s Premier, Dr. The Hon. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP, who also serves as Minister of Tourism and Transport, the increased investment by Park Hyatt to become an equity stakeholder serves as a vote of confidence in Bermuda’s tourism business.

“As many in the hotel development community can attest, the addition of a management company as an investor is rare,” said Premier Brown. “Park Hyatt’s action is evidence that they believe in Bermuda’s commitment to the continued enhancement of our tourism product. This is the greatest vote of confidence in Bermuda and in St. George’s. The Government of Bermuda is extremely proud to work in partnership with one of the world’s most sought after brands.”

The ground-breaking of the new Park Hyatt Resort and Hotel is slated for November 2011. The construction is anticipated to take 24 to 30 months.

The new Park Hyatt Bermuda will include a 100-room hotel as well as 71 hotel condominiums, 39 villa residences and 12 single family homes.

Also on the 125-acre site will be an 18-hole Nick Faldo-designed golf course, an 18,000 square-foot spa and fitness center and two tennis courts. Guest will be able to dine at two full-service restaurants, two cafés and a Beach Club. Additionally, the project will provide housing for 160 employees and include an on-site wastewater treatment plant and reverse osmosis water purification facility.

Source: www.caribbeannewsdigital.com

On November 10, 2010, Caribbean Airlines will begin twice weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays) return services from Port of Spain to Grenada and New York. The Trinidadian carrier takes over the Grenada-New York route which commenced under the Air Jamaica banner earlier this year.

“Building on CAL’s commitment to increasing connectivity in the region, customers will be able to travel from Piarco International Airport in Trinidad to the Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada, and then get to JFK International Airport in the United States.

This new route continues the much anticipated expansion of CAL into the Caribbean region, “noted Caribbean Airlines CEO Captain Ian Brunton.

Captain Brunton went on to explain the decision to have Caribbean Airlines operate the route with CAL aircraft:

“We gain operational flexibility when we switch this route to operate from Trinidad. In fact, we are realizing the synergies that we spoke about earlier this year when we took over the Air Jamaica operations in May. The provision of critical connectivity from various Caribbean islands to major North American destinations is one objective that Caribbean Airlines continues to fulfill.”

Source: www.caribbeannewsdigital.com

The key elements that bind the more than 30 countries that make up the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will be celebrated when the region observes Caribbean Tourism Day this week. The CTO focuses on the strength of the Caribbean brand by choosing the theme, “One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean,” in observance of the day on Tuesday 2nd November.

“The Caribbean brand is a unifying force. It celebrates the diversity of the four language groups and our range of cultural influences, while highlighting the elements that unite us. That’s what we mean when we speak of One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean,” said Hugh Riley, secretary general of the CTO, the international agency responsible for the development of Caribbean tourism.

“We want the brand to transmit the excitement of this region and to represent the elements that make the Caribbean the world’s most desirable destination,” added Mr. Riley.

Caribbean Tourism Day is observed on the first Tuesday in November each year to raise awareness of the benefits of tourism to CTO member countries, and the region as a whole. Key objectives include raising awareness among Caribbean people of the importance of tourism in the Caribbean; enhancing the profile of the Caribbean tourism sector in the marketplace; and reflecting on the invaluable impact of tourism on the economic, social and cultural wellbeing in the Caribbean.

In observance of Caribbean Tourism Day this year, CTO member countries will engage in a range of activities, while the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), in collaboration with CTO, will air a series of programs beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time, on its cable channel, Carib Vision.

Source: www.caribbeannewsdigital.com