Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5517/-1/135/
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TOURISM GALA LANDMARK EVENT Zaharia Hotelier Of The Year
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The Tourism Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Zurra Restaurant at the Temenos Golf Clubhouse on Friday, November 30, was a memorable occasion in Anguilla which saw a number of persons awarded for their outstanding service to the industry. Among them was Stephane Zaharia, General Manager of CuisinArt Resort & Spa, the 2007 winner of the coveted “Hotelier of the Year Award.”
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Mr. Zaharia receiving Award from Jn Baptiste, Sherille Hughes looks on
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The awards were presented in the presence of 180 tourism professionals and other invited guests. It was described as ‘a landmark event in Anguilla’s tourism history.’
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Cheering for Cap Juluca’s winners
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Following addresses by Donna Banks, Special Advisor, Tourism, and E. Valentine Banks, CEO of the National Bank of Anguilla (the headline sponsor of the event), the awards ceremony was hosted by Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Director of Tourism, and Trudy Nixon, Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association.
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One of the guests tables
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In the Pioneer Awards, sponsored by the Caribbean Commercial Bank, the awardees were George Hodge and Robin and Sue Ricketts. Hodge was described as “a pioneer in the promotion of Anguilla as a world-class destination through his tabloid What We Do In Anguilla, which he began publishing in 1987, and his magazine What We Do In Anguilla, which he released in 1991. “Now in its 16th year the magazine is a guiding light leading visitors to our beautiful shores,” a write-up on him and his work stated. He also publishes “The Light Newspaper” which complements the other publications.
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Mr. Benjamin presents Award to George Hodge
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The Ricketts, the other winners of the Pioneer Award, were first involved in the Malliouhana Hotel. They left there in 1984 for Cap Juluca where they remained as the marketing representatives until earlier this year. They are now involved in Ku Resort, at Shoal Bay, and the management of a number of villas on the island. The Ricketts said they loved “to pioneer, to start hotels from scratch, to be creative, to take something from nothing, get it on track and hopefully turn it into gold.” The award was accepted by Sharon Lake on behalf of the Ricketts who are currently in London.
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Presentation for Sue & Robin Ricketts
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The next awards were for the Ports Employees of the Year, sponsored by First Caribbean International Bank. The winners were Marie Harrigan, Seaport Employee of the Year in recognition of her customer relations skills and Glen Boothe, Airport Employee of the Year for his air traffic control duties.
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Marisa Gumbs presenting Award to Norwell Proctor
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The Allied Member of the Year Award, sponsored by Cap Juluca, was won by Anne and Peter Parles of Straw Hat Restaurant which has received a number of rave reviews for its excellent service. In addition the Parles are involved in the Anguilla Regatta, the Anguilla Sailing Association and are members of the Hotel and Tourism Association.
The other awards, sponsored by the National Bank of Anguilla, were Employee of the Year which was won by Altagracia Ramirez and Norwell Proctor both of Cap Juluca.
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Alta Gracia receives Award from Carol Morton
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Former Manager of Covecastles, Sylvene Petty, received a special commendation award for 20 years of service. She was described as “a very special person who has served the industry in several capacities including the Hotel and Tourism Association Board and the Anguilla Tourism Board.”
As mentioned earlier, the high point of the ceremony was the presentation of the Hotelier of the Year award to Stephane Zaharia, General Manager of CuisinArt Resort & Spa. The award was sponsored by Scotia Bank and was presented by Managing Director, Jean Baptiste.
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Dr. Banks presents Award to Anne & Peter Parles
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The announcement of Zaharia’s name by Trudy Nixon during a champagne toast was met with resounding applause. A statement on him and the hotel observed: he “is a new General Manager in Anguilla yet he is already recognised for his community spirit and involvement in the professional tourism arena. CuisinArt has worked with the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association on a number of great marketing initiatives that have brought huge exposure to Anguilla generally.”
Mr. Zaharia, who has a wealth of training and experience in the tourism industry, is in third season as General Manager at CuisinArt Resort & Spa. In his first year he broke all three years of occupancy levels. It was through him that CuisinArt’s Santorini Restaurant received the four-diamond award. He is a member of the AHTA Board.
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Ms Rey presents Award to Marie Harrigan
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Replying, Mr. Zaharia said he accepted the award on behalf of the resort’s 320 employees, saying it belonged to them for their excellent work. He was also grateful to his wife for her support and he also took the opportunity to commend the “great owner” of the property for having such a high-end resort as a contributor to the island’s tourist industry.
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Donna Banks presents Award to Sylvene Petty
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During the delightful evening, Trudy Nixon and Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, the Events Manager at the AHTA, entertained the crowd with the door prize draws which provided 40 gifts to the winners donated by members of the AHTA and other businesses. The prizes included hotel and villa stays, restaurant vouchers, gift vouchers flights, spa treatments, golf lessons and the main prize – a three carat diamond and gold tennis bracelet from Diamonds International.
As the event drew to a close, Bob and Melinda Blanchard introduced their “family” of staff from Zurra Restaurant and Blanchard’s who had worked together to provide exemplary service and delicious food for the guests. Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch thanked all the sponsors, guests, organisers and other persons who had been involved in the excellent event. The function ended with guests dancing to the music of Boss and Friends.