The Caribbean Hotel ***ociation (CHA) marked the 10TH anniversary of the Crystal Palm Awards of Excellence by paying tribute to four travel companies and two individuals that made a significant contribution to the development of Caribbean tourism in the United Kingdom and Europe.
More than 250 delegates from major supplier companies in the United Kingdom and Europe and the private and public sectors of the Caribbean tourism industry gathered to recognize the 2007 winners of the Crystal Palm Awards, reported a CHA press release.
"The award winners are playing a major role in the growth of tourism in the Caribbean - and have been a solid partner in the region's development," said CHA President Peter J. Odle.
Virgin Holidays won in the category for Large UK-based Caribbean Tour Operator. It serves 13 Caribbean destinations and its outstanding p***enger figures grow from year to year.
In the category of airlines, British Airways was awarded for serving ten Caribbean destinations, and forging agreements with Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, Liat, and Cayman Airways - which means that most of the Caribbean is accessible to the UK traveler through one of the airline's ten hubs.
Anguilla s Caribbean Tourist Board won the award, based on official statistics from the Caribbean Tourism Organization covering 2004-2006.
Anguilla emerged the undisputable winner through marketing and promotional efforts in the UK market, achieving in 2006 a remarkable growth of 35.8%.
As best Caribbean specialist, the UK-based company, Caribbean Hotels Ltd., with an office also in Barbados, features over 400 hotels spanning 29 Caribbean destinations. With 100% of the business dedicated to the Caribbean, Caribbean Hotels Ltd. has seen a phenomenal growth over the past two years that shows no sign of stopping.
David Jessop was awarded as Outstanding Individual. Jessop is Director of the Caribbean Council, publisher of Caribbean Insight, and adviser to the Caribbean Hotel ***ociation on trade policy and related issues with the European Union and the United Kingdom government.
In the past year alone, Jessop has helped CHA pave the way for sustainable development of tourism in the Caribbean, with efforts geared to ensure that recommendations for the liberalization of regional tourism services are included in external trade negotiations that the Caribbean is involved in.
Sarah Macefield, Winner in the category of Travel Writer has built a prolific career as a travel journalist. Although her expertise spans the globe, Macefield's work as the Caribbean features writer for Travel Trade Gazette and a frequent contributor to consumer and travel-related publications is exemplary.
The Crystal Palm Awards of Excellence is CHA's premier event in the European Marketplace. It was established in 1997 to recognize the Caribbean's leading travel partners in the United Kingdom and Europe.
11-15-2007, 04:23 PM
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