BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a tangible show of appreciation for its partners, the St. Kitts-Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA) honoured two of its longstanding and dedicated members last night (May 6) at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI).
John Yearwood, Managing Director of the Oualie Beach Resort in Nevis, and OTI’s owner Colin Pereira were the two honourees. Yearwood received the inaugural HTA Tourism Partner of the Year Award, while Pereira was given an HTA Lifetime Achievement Award. Both of the awardees are past Presidents of the HTA.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, current HTA President Michael Head described Yearwood as “a man always willing to help whenever needed; whether for sporting events or fishing tournaments, he is always ready to offer accommodation or whatever else he can to make the event successful. He has been at the forefront of tourism development in Nevis for many years.”
Pereira, who has also served on the Board of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, started the OTI in 1969 with only three rooms. Since its inception, the hotel has expanded to become one of the Federation’s most popular tourist accommodation sites.
Head revealed that the HTA Board had drawn up a list of nominees and selected the two recipients internally. He stressed that both awardees had contributed significantly to tourism development over a long period of time.
“Both of these men have given tremendously to tourism in the Federation, and the HTA felt it was incumbent upon us to show them how much we appreciate their efforts.
“I’d also like to give special mention to some of our other partners who were not honoured here tonight, but whose contributions have been just as incredible. Thanks to Minister of State for Tourism, the Hon. Ricky Skerritt, for bringing the weekly British Airways service to St. Kitts. I’d also like to thank the owners and operators of the Sea Bridge for the role it has played in facilitating tourism between St. Kitts and Nevis. Last, but not least, many thanks to Kishu and RAMS Trading Ltd. for their support for the HTA Chef of the Year Competition.”
