PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (December 5, 2002) - Royston O. Hopkin, CMG was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), in an Extraordinary Meeting of the CAST Governing Council last Tuesday, when current Chairman Frank Rainieri announced his resignation.  After seven years of leadership in the organization's Governing Council, founding Chairman Frank Rainieri, President of Punta Cana Group, nominated Hopkin, Grenadian entrepreneur and Caribbean

Royston O. Hopkin

The unanimous appointment came as no surprise to attendees of the meeting, which was held at Punta Cana Beach Resort.  Hopkin's distinguished career in hospitality spans more than three decades. At the age of 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism - at the age of 24, he was the first Grenadian to be elected president of the Grenada Hotel Association.  He purchased the Blue Horizon Hotel in Grand Anse, Grenada and later the Spice Island Inn - which he developed from a 26 suite to a 66 suite property and renamed the Spice Island Beach Resort.  He has served on the board of the CHA since 1970, holding many positions including Director, Vice President, President, and Chairman - during his tenure he founded the association's Small Hotels Committee.  A recipient of several prestigious awards, he reached the zenith in 1995 when H.M. Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the "Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George" (CMG) for his contribution to tourism in Grenada and the Caribbean.  Prior to his recent appointment in CAST, Hopkin served for four years as Vice President of CAST. 

The Chairman-elect gave his maiden address to the Governing Council by reviewing his prior involvement in CHA, expressing his commitment to CAST and to attaining environmental improvement in the region.  "I welcome the challenge to lead CAST in these challenging times. I realize the importance of supporting a dynamic organization such as CAST, as well as the importance CAST's mandate to focus on the environmental and social sustainability of the Caribbean region."

CAST, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) is dedicated to assisting regional hotels in improved environmental performance and management of natural resources.  Programs are focused at all levels of hotel operations- from proper chemical management and safety for housekeepers to monitoring of utilities costs for management.