The Trinidad Hotels Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA) will celebrate Tourism Week 2014 by paying tribute to those who have contributed to developing the industry.The inaugural Gala Tourism Awards Dinner and Dance takes place September 20 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad and awards for outstanding service in the following categories:
�2 Hotelier of the Year Award
�2 Outstanding Industry Employee Award
�2 Business Excellence Award –Direct Tourism Services
�2 Business Excellence Award –Tourism Supporting Services
�2 Lifetime Achievement Award
THRTA president Andrew Welch said: "We hope to elevate our industry by recognising true excellence in tourism."Guest speaker for the evening will be Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, a leading tourism mind from the Bahamas.
Vanderpool-Wallace's experience as co-president of Resorts International, then the largest private company in The Bahamas, director general of Bahamas Tourism, secretary general and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and most recently as Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas has made him an ideal advisor to private companies and governments in tourism and hospitality.
He has been the principal architect of policies to ensure robust public-private sector co-operation and brings a unique perspective to the growth and development of businesses and destinations that rely on hospitality for their profitability and their economies.
While the spotlight will be on the winners, patrons attending will also have a delectable treat as T&T's top chefs will be influencing a menu just for the occasion with the support of all ingredients from Hadco Limited.They are: Chef Joe Brown, Jaffa; Chef Debra Sardinha-Metivier, DSM Cuisine; Chef Khalid Mohammed, Chaud Restaurant; Chef Raymond Joseph, Head Chef Courtyard by Marriott & Former National Culinary team captain and the Hyatt Regency Trinidad team led by Chef Fernando Franco.
The evening will also be enhanced by D�cor by Brian Macfarlane.