News for the Hospitality Executive |
David
Dodwell, Owner of The Reefs Hotel in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation on
Nevis,
Named 2010 Caribbean Hotelier Of The Year by the CHTA
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA (Jan. 18, 2011) – David Dodwell, owner of
two widely
acclaimed resorts, The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda and Nisbet
Plantation
Beach Club on Nevis, has been recognized as the 2010 “Caribbean
Hotelier of the
Year.” Dodwell was honored with the award before an international
audience of
hospitality and tourism industry leaders at Caribbean Marketplace 2011,
hosted
at the new Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The
Caribbean
Hotelier of the Year Award is co-sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel and
Tourism
Association (CHTA) and Ypartnership. With a prestigious industry career spanning more than four
decades, Dodwell
joins the ranks of preeminent hotel and resort executives as the 33rd recipient of the Caribbean Hotelier
of the Year
– the highest professional honor bestowed by CHTA. Presented
annually,
this esteemed award recognizes an outstanding hotelier in the Caribbean
region
for demonstrating excellence in all areas of hotel and resort
operations, as
well as a commitment to the training and development of staff, to the
community, and to sound environmental practices. The honor also
acknowledges
each recipient’s active role in both national and regional issues
affecting
Caribbean tourism. The
Caribbean Hotel
and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Ypartnership named David Dodwell,
owner Nisbet
Plantation Beach Club in Nevis and The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda, “Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.” Pictured (l-r) Peter C. Yesawich, chairman and CEO, Ypartnership; Dodwell; Josef Forstmayr, president of CHTA; and Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO, CHTA. He has always been committed to serving his local community –
both in Nevis
and Bermuda. He is a Member of the Resort Committee of the American
Hospitality
& Lodging Association, and has served many other leadership roles. Dodwell has been at the helm of The Reefs in Bermuda, which
includes 19
luxury two- and three-bedroom beachfront suites, for nearly 40 years
and at
Nisbet Plantation for more than 20 years. In 1999, Nisbet Plantation established a local elementary
school “adoption”
program, stocking library shelves with children’s books and computers,
while
also encouraging school supply donations from resort guests. As a
result,
children are now reading at a level two grades higher than before the
program
began. Nisbet Plantation’s Chef also mentored Nevis high school
students as
part of the 2010 St. Kitts & Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association’s
Project
Future Chef program. Under his leadership, the 36-room Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
has grown to
be one of the Caribbean’s foremost resorts, renowned internationally
for its
exceptional service and guest satisfaction. Dodwell’s innovative
training and
team-building initiatives have resulted in exceptional loyalty among
staff and
remarkable guest return rates. In 2010, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club was ranked the #1 Hotel
in the
Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas by Travel + Leisure
magazine’s
World’s Best Awards, named among Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold
List of the
World’s Best Places to Stay and The Reefs was named the #1 Hotel in the
Atlantic in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Dodwell’s proactive role in the Nevis community also extends
to
environmental stewardship. Numerous eco-initiatives helped Nisbet
Plantation
achieve the rigorous requirements for Green Globe 21 certification by
Green
Globe International. In October 2007, Nisbet Plantation constructed an artificial
reef to provide
a habitat for sea life, create a calmer swimming area for guests, and
save
numerous palm trees by preventing beach erosion. As a result, more than
15 feet
of beach has reappeared. Other initiatives include the planting of a
coconut
palm for every wedding held at the resort, an organized Hands-on Earth
Day
beach cleanup, and both water and energy recycling conservation
efforts.
Sustainable cuisine spotlighting local fish, produce and even local St.
Kitts
and Nevis rum are staples in the Plantation’s dining venues. About The Caribbean Hotel
&
Tourism Association The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA)
facilitates the full
potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving
members’ needs
and building partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable
manner.
CHTA was founded in 1962; it is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality
industry
for the development of the region in the highly competitive and
sophisticated
environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely
recognized as a
pivotal industry in the economy of the region – and CHTA functions as
the
common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse
nationalities,
languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshalling the
resources
of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents
all
facets of the hospitality industry with more than 725 member hotels and
525
allied members.
|
Contact:
Josh Kahn |