Tourism celebrates

Cayman’s tourism industry bestowed
lifetime achievement awards to Cayman Free Press publisher Brian Uzzell and
Cayman tourism innovator Ronald Kipp at the annual Stingray Tourism Awards
event Tuesday night.

Introducing the award, Rod McDowall
detailed Mr. Uzzell’s influential career in Cayman’s media, noting that Cayman
Free Press, celebrating its 45th anniversary, is 100 per cent Caymanian-owned.

“Cayman Free Press continues to
employ Caymanians in a majority situation, and there are six Caymanian staff
who have been with the company for over 30 years… (the company) is a strong
supporter of local industries and businesses.”

Mr. McDowall noted that Mr. Uzzell
has always promoted local arts, culture and music, and that the publisher has
supported tourism significantly over the years, including publishing the
tourism magazine, Key to Cayman. Mr. Uzzell is a founding member of the Cayman
Islands Tourism Association, he noted, and the publishing company continues to
sponsor a range of world-famous Cayman Islands events.

Mr. McDowall highlighted the long
and varied career of Ronald Kipp, from his graduation from the school of
business administration to four years in the US Air Force and a stint at IBM
before relocating to Cayman to become owner of Bob Soto’s Dive Ltd in 1980.

“He began a programme of
modernisation in promoting not only his own business, but the Cayman Islands.
Successful marketing programmes included the first guaranteed dive vacation,
Cayman Madness and Scubabowl.”

He said that Mr. Kipp and the
diving company have received numerous awards from the dive industry and
plaudits from international press, including National Geographic. Mr. Kipp’s
marketing skills have also attracted many awards from Cayman Islands tourism
associations, and he has served many governments as an adviser.

“In 2003 he was awarded the
prestigious diving industry Reaching Out award in Las Vegas for his
contribution to diving over the last 22 years, DEMA recognised him as making a
significant contribution to the diving community for reaching out to people
throughout the world. Also, “… Ron was an inaugural inductee into the
International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame,” said Mr. McDowall, as the crowd
cheered.

A special award was presented to
security officer Arnold Grande for bravery on patrol. On 6 January, after he
was alerted to an attempted break-in, Mr. Grande helped restrain the suspect
until police arrived. It was the first time that a bravery award has been
presented at the Stingray awards.

ITA president Harry Lalli said the
Stingray awards event is the most important one of the year for the industry,
and that the awards are the highest bestowed upon Caymanian tourism professionals.

“As an association, it is our goal
to provide representation and leadership for the tourism industry. By holding
this gala, it is our opportunity to come together and show our appreciation for
all who contribute to our success as a leading tourism destination.”

This gives us an opportunity to
emphasise the association’s commitment to reinforce and cultivate exceptional
service. This is done by encouraging distinct performance standards which
exceed our guest expectations,” he said

Premier McKeeva Bush had been
scheduled to attend but was unwell, so deputy speaker of the house Cline
Glidden expressed his congratulations to all nominees and read out the
Premier’s remarks to the attendees.

“The tourism industry and staff are
key players in the tourism industry of the Cayman Islands; every single
resident benefits in some way whether we are aware of it or not… giving
credit where credit is due is a very rewarding habit. Recognition begets motivation,
which begets productivity and adherence to the highest standards. These
qualities are essential to the development of a world-class tourism product,”

Following the awards, the industry
partied to music from local band Bona Fide. The awards had been introduced by
master of ceremonies Max Hillier and CITA executive director, Trina Christian
and the national song was sung beautifully by Annick Holness.

Cayman Islands Tourism Association Stingray Award Winners 2010

Accommodation Employee of the Year:
Linera Grant, the Reef Resort. Accommodation Manager of the Year: Jenifer
Lawler, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Allied Employee of the Year: Lee Mc
Field, Atlantis Submarines. Allied Manager of the Year: Ales Cevela, Divers
Supply (Cayman) Limited.

Restaurant Employee of the Year:
Leonard Ramos, Breezes by the Bay. Restaurant Manager of the Year: Cindy
Barthet, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Transportation Employee of the Year:
Erscelle Connor, Webster’s Tours, Ltd. Transportation Manager of the Year:
Devon McEwan, Webster’s Tours, Ltd.

Watersports Employee of the Year:
Warren Cayasso, Red Sail Sports, Rum Point. Watersports Manager of the Year,
Jane van der Bol, Cayman Luxury Charters, Ltd. Rising Star Tourism: Sarah-Jane
Whitehill, the Reef Resort.

Long Service/Special Contribution
Award: Sergio Coni, Don Fosters Dive. Lifetime Achievement Award: Brian Uzzell,
Cayman Free Press; Ronald Kipp, Caribbean Producer Services.