CHTA Announces CHIEF 2023 Awards, Recognizing Best Practices in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Source: Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

From Marketplace Excellence 

MIAMI, FL (December 11, 2023) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced the winners and finalists of the prestigious Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) 2023 Awards. The winners were revealed at the annual CHIEF event, which took place from November 29 to December 1, 2023, in Miami, FL.These awards recognize the outstanding initiatives in the Caribbean hospitality industry. 

The CHIEF Awards were established to recognize successful practices of CHTA member hotels and tourism-related enterprises across five key areas – Environmental Sustainability, Innovative Sales and Marketing, People (Staff) Development and Support, Social Responsibility, and Tech Transformation.

Kevin Cooper, General Manager, and Mary Calliste, Assistant Manager, True Blue Bay Boutique Resort in Grenada (center), with (from left to right) CHIEF Program Chair Bill Clegg; CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, and Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General, CHTA

Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, which earned hall-of-fame CHIEF Award recognition for environmental sustainability, tied for runner-up with St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain.

Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts (center) and his team with Vanessa Ledesma, Nicola Madden-Greig and Bill Clegg

In the Innovative Sales and Marketing category, St. Lucia’s Bay Gardens Resorts took the top spot for its inventive approach to sales and marketing. Their success is measured by a 40% YTD increase in booking engine revenue, driven by innovative digital marketing tools, including Triptease pop-up messages and engaging social media strategies that garnered over 15% growth on TikTok. Last year’s top-placed Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort returned to the podium, copping second place this year.

From left: Bill Clegg; Vanessa Ledesma; Patrice Simon, Executive Director, Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association; and Nicola Madden-Greig

Recognizing the crucial role of People Development and Support, the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association took top place. Its inspiring “Unveiling Hospitality Professionals” project, leading up to Tourism Week 2023, highlighted the stories of dedicated individuals in various sectors, fostering talent and supporting team members while reaching over 20,000 views per video. Jamaica’s Half Moon and Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club in Grenada were the runners-up in the category.

Tambourine Sales Executive Jordan Iten (center) with Nicola Madden-Greig and Vanessa Ledesma

The Social Responsibility category was claimed by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and its digital agency Tambourine. Their “Our Ocean, Our Future” initiative, in partnership with Hidden Worlds, raised $20,000 for marine sustainability and showcased the impact of immersive experiences on environmental awareness, achieving media coverage in 15 publications. Grace Bay Car Rentals in Turks & Caicos followed closely as this year’s runner-up.

Pictured from left to right: Bill Clegg; Vanessa Ledesma; Nima Anvar, CEO, GuestChat; and Nicola Madden-Greig