The SKNHTA bids farewell to Colin Pereira, a Tourism Pioneer in St. Kitts

14th September 2017, Basseterre, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association sends condolences to the family of Mr Colin Pereira, a Tourism Pioneer in St. Kitts. Colin Pereira was an instrumental figure in shaping the early development of our hospitality industry on St. Kitts opening one of the very first hotels on the island from a  family home in Fortlands which he converted into Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI).  

Today the OTI, one of the few locally owned hotels, while under new ownership continues the legacy of having a strong hospitality service team which stems from the high level of customer service that was established by Colin and remains evident from the continued recognition and awards won by the OTI both locally and regionally.

Colin also established OTI Banana Bay Beach Resort on the South East Peninsula back in the 1980’s at a time when the South East Peninsula was only accessible by boat. The family run businesses were successful and Colin used that time to train his sons in the ways of hospitality, teaching them the importance of good customer service and love of country.  Pereira was also one of the founding members of the Peoples Action Movement (PAM) and served as assistant secretary and secretary under PAM for many years playing a role that helped shape the political party which produced the federation’s first Prime Minister.

As an activist and entrepreneur Colin has left a lasting legacy that has extended to his children who have successfully established their various businesses in hospitality including the Greg Pereira, owner of Greg Safaris (tours) who just recently won the St. Kitts Tourism Authority award for best ‘Pillar of the Industry’ award (business), following very closely in the footsteps of his father’s award winning success in hospitality.  Colin Pereira leaves to mourn his wife Lesley and three sons Greg, Gary and Ricky and many others in the tourism industry who are grateful for his contribution and a legacy that we are all proud to remember.