More than 50 nominees have been announced for the eighth annual Stingray Tourism Awards in 2011.
The awards by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association recognise individuals who have offered the greatest contribution to the tourism industry each year.
The nominees “represent every sector of the tourism Industry in the Cayman Islands,” said Association Executive Director Trina Christian. “These are individuals who both service guests daily on the front line and behind the scenes. They are the crème de la crème of Cayman’s tourism industry.”
Cobalt stingray
Each nominee will be presented with a certificate and the winners will receive a cobalt blue, glass stingray hand-blown by Island Glass Blowing Studio. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will receive a Double Stingray Award.
Following the ceremony, dinner, dancing and live music from Morvin Brooks and Island Vibes will celebrate the occasion.
All proceeds from the event are contributed to the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to an outstanding individual pursuing a career in tourism.
“The Cayman Islands Tourism Association thanks the sponsors of this event for their continued support of this magical event: The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, Celebrations and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman,” said Ms Christian,
Nominees
Watersports Employee of the Year: Larry Cook, Ambassador Divers; Adam Loynton, Cayman Luxury Charters; Carl Nash, Living the Dream Divers; Steve Tippets, Divetech Ltd.
Watersports Manager of the Year: Santiago Campo, Red Sail Sports; Mark Landman, Ocean Frontiers Ltd.
Restaurant Employee of the Year: Godfrey Cooke, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; John Douglas, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Ana Ebanks, Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa; Kimberly McField, Tropical Trader Restaurant Group; Constantino Vailoces, The Reef Resort.
Restaurant Manager of the Year: Eadaoin Douglas, The Reef Resort; Arjun Gopi, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Allied Employee of the Year: Joe Shooman, Cayman Free Press; Vielka Vargas, Atlantis Submarines; Andrew White, Atlantis Submarines.
Allied Manager of the Year: Katherine Diane Jackson, Cayman Turtle Farm.
Accommodations Employee of the Year; Andre Campbell, Grand Cayman Beach Suites; Avis Griffiths, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort; Retchen Jackson, Compass Point Dive Resort; Cathy Richardson, The Reef Resort; Ainjalia Schvartz, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Joan Triana, Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa.
Accommodations Manager of the Year; Geraldine Ebanks, Ramada Grand Caymanian Resort; Patricia Mew, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Matthew Smilie, The Reef Resort; Cecile Jacinto, Grand Cayman Beach Suites.
Transportation Employee of the Year: Mark Nelson, Majestic Tours; Dennis Smith, See & Sea Tours.
Rising Star in Tourism Award: Caleb Bennett, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort; Mark Tilley, Ocean Frontiers Ltd; John Douglas, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Long Service: Mary Coe, Treasure Island Resort; Bernetta Ebanks, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Ludavine Finelli, Sunshine Suites Resort; Nealy Dilbert, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
The ceremony will be Tuesday, 21 June, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, starting at 6.30pm. The bash begins with an address from Premier McKeeva Bush. Tickets are $75. Contact Erin Bodden at CITA, by emailing [email protected] or call 949-8522. Office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9am-5pm.
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