Company is tourism Stakeholder of the Year

Corea and Company Limited is the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture and the SVG Tourism Authority’s (SVGTA) Stakeholder of the Year.

The company was recognized last Saturday at the annual tourism awards ceremony and cocktail, which was held at the Blue Lagoon poolside in Ratho Mill.

After collecting the award, Michele Forsyth, manager of cruise and yachting services at Corea and Company, said that this is the first time that the company has won the prestigious award.

“It’s rather exciting and gratifying to win the Stakeholder of the Year award. It means that the effort that the company puts in, which sometimes goes above and beyond, is appreciated and it makes one feel good,” Forsyth told SEARCHLIGHT after collecting the award from Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie.

She said what sets Corea and Company apart is the depth of the company’s commitment to the industry, as they participate and contribute to the tourism industry, while the employees are involved in many facets of tourism.

Corea and Company provides agency services for cruise ships that come to this country’s five ports. The company also offers tour operator services (their main area of business in tourism) and marketing of SVG. They employ about 70 persons.

The awards ceremony, which was also attended by the chief executive officer (CEO) of the SVGTA Glen Beache, saw several persons and entities rewarded for their contribution to the tourism sector here.

The Ministry of Tourism recognized the Barrouallie Heritage and Tourism Organization as the most improved community group; the Owia Salt Pond as the most outstanding tourism site; Lenroy Charles as the immigration officer of the year; Jason Glynn as the customs officer of the year; and Xavia Nedd as the port ambassador of the year.

Sergeant Keith McBarnette, the police officer who chased a man who is alleged to have robbed a tourist on November 8 at Bentick Square, Kingstown, was given a special recognition award.

Receiving SVGTA standards awards were Elroy Browne, the most outstanding tour guide (tours); Abanie Edwards, most outstanding tour guide (training); Timothy Sargeant and Ecriton Gibson, most outstanding taxi operator Grenadines and St Vincent respectively; JMK Auto Rental, most compliant short-term vehicle rental; Dive St Vincent, most compliant tour operator; Anchorage Yacht Club, most outstanding restaurant (training); Anchorage Yacht Club and Alojay Apartments, most compliant accommodation Grenadines and mainland respectively; and Anchorage Yacht Club, most improved accommodation.

Jamali Jack was recognized as the SVG Tourism Authority’s employee of the year. He is a digital marketing officer.

The Hotel and Tourism Association gave awards to Michelle Davis, recognized as front office person of the year; Ardon Lowman is supervisor of the year; Louann Robinson is waitress of the year; Dretson Pompey is chef of the year; Eldon Soleyn is bartender of the year; Latara Eustace is housekeeper of the year; Josel Lyttle is island ambassador of the year; Rudolph Neverson is gardener of the year; Sail Grenadines is yachting/boating operator of the year; and Serenity Dive is dive operator of the year.

Also recognized was Frangipani Hotel for their 50 years of continuous service in the hospitality industry; Sunset Shores for their years of service to the SVG Hotel and Tourism Association; and Vee Jay’s Restaurant and Bar for 40 years of service in the hospitality industry.  

Kim Halbich was given the Hotelier of the Year Award. Halbich operates the Paradise Beach Hotel.

Addressing the gathering, CEO of the SVGTA Glen Beache said that the tourism industry is our number one industry and 2017 has been the biggest year for tourism in the country to date.

Beache said that the opening of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) has been a game changer, but it is also important to recognize the people who work in the tourism industry.

“You have done a splendid job…but as good, as we are, there is always room for improvement and we need to keep on pushing to be above good, but excellent to beat anybody who comes up against us”, said Beache.

Also making comments was Minister McKie. The Tourism Minister congratulated all the awardees and noted that it is important to recognize persons and entities for their contribution.(LC)