BEFORE?AN?INTERNATIONAL?AUDIENCE of hospitality and tourism industry leaders, David Dodwell, owner of The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis, was named 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.
He was honoured with the award last week during Caribbean Marketplace 2011 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 an industry career spanning more than four decades, Dodwell joins the ranks of pre-eminent hotel and resort executives as the 33rd recipient of this award – the highest professional honor bestowed by CHTA.
Presented annually, this award recognises an outstanding hotelier in the Caribbean region for demonstrating excellence in all areas of hotel and resort operations as well as a commitment to training and developing staff, to the community and to sound environmental practices.
The honour also acknowledges each recipient’s active role in both national and regional issues affecting Caribbean tourism.
A native Bermudian and graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Dodwell is a former Minister of Tourism for Bermuda, and once served as president of the Bermuda Hotel Association where he was also previously honored as Bermuda Hotelier of the Year.
He is a member of the Resort Committee of the American Hospitality & Lodging Association and has served in 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.
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 especially loyal staff and remarkable guest return rates.
(CH)
