Receives Trip Advisor’s recognition for 2020
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LAST YEAR was a very difficult one for many people including business owners, and those in the tourism and hospitality sectors have been some of the hardest hit by the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, one local tour operator was once again internationally recognised before the dreaded virus hit the tourism sector.
That tour operator is Rosevelt Taylor, owner of Island Paradise Tours, who continues to be recognised by tourists and his counterparts for his exemplary service showcasing the culture and what St. Kitts and Nevis has to offer.
Taylor was recognised by Trip Advisor for the 10th time since plying his trade, and he pledges to continue showcasing the twin-island Federation as the destination that people should visit.
During an interview with SKNVibes News, he reminisced on what he has achieved personally and for St. Kitts and Nevis, describing it as memorable and a joyous.
“This is not an easy thing to achieve because the smallest thing that goes wrong, they will give you a very negative review,” he notes, acknowledging that over the years he has received his fair share of bad reviews as well.
Annually, the travel entity recognises the outstanding work of tour operators and organisations for their exemplary work in showing destinations and the way they treat tourists.
That recognition is based on the feedback from visitors to the various destinations and, over the years, Taylor has received five-star ratings.
Over that time span, he was added to Trip Advisor’s Hall of Fame; an accomplishment he hopes others would strive to achieve.
Taylor, who started plying his trade in 2004, told SKNVibes that he got into the field of work following his return to the Federation after spending most of his life overseas, including serving in the US Armed Forces for some 10 years.
Though some government officials were pushing for him to become a teacher because of his qualifications, Taylor decided to ply his trade and started with a four-seater SUV.
“I wanted to find something to do and somebody urged me to go into the taxi business, and I asked him if I looked like a taxi man. But as you would know now, the rest is history,” he added.
Describing being a tour operator as a calling, Taylor explained that since 2004 he has enjoyed making tourists feel welcomed, and at the same time showcasing the history and culture of the Federation.
“I have been meeting a lot of people from all over the world and it's a different feeling. It's fun to tell them about your home island. I took it a little bit deeper and I got involved with the herbs and the fruits, and before I knew it, I was doing what I did for years,” Taylor explained.
Can he make it an 11th year?
That is left to be seen! He revealed that he is coming to the end of his time as a tour operator and he wants those persons who are currently operating to ensure that they do it for the love of the trade while showcase the territory.
Taylor believes by doing so, his counterparts would become excellent ambassadors for the Federation, as people would be able to recognise them for their efforts and they would meet a number of great individuals in the process.
