FOUR NEW BHTA TOURSIM AWARDS UP FOR GRABS

THE Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has added four new award categories for the 2026 Tourism Awards, as the Association seeks to further expand its recognition of businesses and individuals contributing to the continued growth of the local tourism sector.

The new categories for the Awards Gala Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, June 13 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, are: BHTA Distinguished Service to Tourism, Business Excellence – Tourism Industry Stakeholder, Young Leader and, People’s Choice Awards. 

Chairman of the Association, Javon Griffith, said the additions reflect the industry’s diversity: “Tourism is a dynamic industry with a wide range of players, touching almost every sector on the island. It is important that we continue to highlight the innovation, leadership and service excellence of our traditional stakeholders, while also shining the spotlight across the wider industry.”

He explained that the new Distinguished Service to Tourism Award will recognise an individual whose partnership and service strengthen the overall tourism ecosystem, whether directly or indirectly, while the Tourism Industry Stakeholder Award will honour an organisation that plays a strategic and influential role in shaping, strengthening and advancing the industry.

“The Young Leader Award is also specifically focused as it is designed to recognise emerging leaders actively shaping the future of the island’s tourism sector.  This award is open to tourism professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who demonstrate exceptional promise, leadership potential and a strong commitment to the continued growth and development of the island’s major industry,” Griffith said.

The Chairman added that the Association is also creating history with the introduction of the People’s Choice Award this year, “For the first time, members of the public will have their say as they will have the opportunity to select the winner for this award via BHTA’s digital platforms.

“The People’s Choice Award will go to the BHTA member business that consistently delivers exceptional service and memorable customer experiences on the island. So we encourage all Barbadians to participate in this very important process by visiting our Instagram and Facebook pages @thebhta to cast their vote.”

Nominations for The Gallagher BTMI BHTA 2026 Tourism Awards close on April 24. Other categories for the biennial awards include Hotel of the Year – Luxury, A Class and B Class & Apartments; Vacation Rental Property Management Company; Direct Tourism Services Member, Business Excellence Member – Restaurant and, Tourism Attraction; Supporting Member, Environmental & Sustainability, Social Responsibility, as well as the Bartender, Chef and Tourism Employee of the Year Awards and the Life Time Achievement Award.

At the 2024 awards, top honours  went to Sandpiper Inn, O2 Beach Club & Spa, All Seasons Resort- Europa, Blue Sky Luxury, Cocktail Kitchen, Atlantis Submarines Barbados, Berger Paints Barbados Limited, Cricket Legends of Barbados, Drive-A-Matic Car Rentals, Chukka Caribbean Adventures Barbados Ltd., Sandals Resorts Barbados, Lamar Francis, Rodney Corbin, Kedane Wood and Sheldon Davis. (PR)

CAPTION:

1. THE 2024 BHTA Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Lady Yvonne Gollop (left) receiving her award from Maya Wiltshire – Area President, Barbados, Trinidad & Eastern Caribbean and Michael Thornhill – CEO, Gallagher Caribbean.
2. The 2024 BHTA Tourism Employee of the Year Sheldon Davis accepting his award from CEO of Foster & Ince, Martin Ince.