The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association on April 27, at its bi-annual General Meeting, announced the new Board of Directors to govern the Association for the period 2023 – 2025.
The announcement came following a nomination and voting process where sixteen members (16) of the Association presented themselves as candidates to fill twelve positions on the Board.
Craig Marshall of Royalton Antigua was nominated and duly elected to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors and will serve on the Boards Executive Committee.
Joining Mr. Marshall on the Executive will be Brian Murphy of Carlisle Bay Resort holding the position of 1st Vice Chair and Rachel Browne of Hermitage Bay Resort as 2nd Vice Chair. Neil Keeling of The Rendezvous Company will represent the Associations Associate members on the Executive Committee.
The following Directors will join the Executive as the main decision makers for the body –
Mrs. Cathy-Ann Edwards- Joseph, Regional Manager, Eastern Caribbean Operations, American Airlines, Patrick Ryan, Geo W. Bennett Bryson & Co. Ltd., Mario Colindres, The Antigua & Barbuda Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Phillips, Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Alex de Brito, Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Sanjay Ambrose, Pineapple Beach Club, Norma Holder, Curtain Bluff Resort, Brian D’Ornellas, Buccaneer Beach Club and Ian Fraser, Nonsuch Bay Resort.
Craig Marshall, in commenting on his new appointment stated that “It is an honor for me to serve as the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association’s newly elected Chairman.
Being given the opportunity to oversee this prestigious institution is a humbling experience, and I’m dedicated to doing my duty as effectively as I can. As Chairman, I’ll concentrate on fostering communication and cooperation among our members as well as with other groups and interested parties. I think we can provide better service to our visitors and raise the standard of our tourism businesses by cooperating and sharing our knowledge and resources.”
The ABHTA’s Bi – Annual General Meeting was held under the theme – Re-imagining the Hospitality sector, energizing the sector in Antigua & Barbuda. Presenters for the programme included Patrice Simon, Executive Director the ABHTA, Shirlene Nibbs, Chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute and the Honourable Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation Transportation, and Investment.
Minister Fernandez expressed his vision for 2023 for the Hospitality sector, highlighting key areas of the sector that must be our focus.
He remarked “Tourism must create economic value for local businesses and residents through the maximum of linkages. Hoteliers must support our farmers and fisherfolk and artisans in a more meaningful manner.
We all need to work together, speak from the same script, and represent our industry as a united front in the regional and international sphere. Let’s brainstorm together on how best to improve our viability together and not be greedy to our own causes.” Minister Fernandez also focused on sustainability in the sector, enhancing and promoting our heritage and culture and the development of employees in the sector through training and development.
Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, Chair of the ABHTI highlighted the renewed energy and focus of the Institute with a drive to increase registrations.
She commented that “at the ABHTI we offer various degree courses to include Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Food & Beverage Management and Culinary Arts.
The 2023/2024 School year will not only see the upgrading of the physical plant with refurbishment to several buildings, but also the Restaurant, Conference Room and Academic offerings, thereby ensuring that we meet the demand of the sector. I wish to acknowledge the ABHTA partners in hospitality who have already tangibly assisted us in meeting our vision for the Institute – Cocos and Keyonna, The Mill Reef Club and Sandals Grande Antigua. We welcome the continued support of the ABHTA as we move to re-energize the sector.”
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I don’t care what you guys may say but no Antiguan would be head of this type of organization in those people country. As far as I am concerned Antiguans should be heard of everything. I would prefer not to have any ABHTA . Anyhow we have sold out our lands – our beach lands and they are already preventing us from access to many of our beaches. We have hundreds of Antiguans with degrees at all levels in hotel management. Most working at entrance level – that na happen elsewhere. Our government set the precedent by bringing in an Indian to be the head of our customs and yes our Port Authority which I don’t mind as much by a Dominican, although I would have preferred to se an Antiguans
So we can have an Antiguan Pm – but the Black fools kick down the bucket after and wants us to believe that only they alone can run anything.
It’s always a catch 22
Look at the last chairman, while he was local, he was our own worst enemy
I say choose Antiguans who are sincere& competent and not those who are just trying to climb the social ladder
You are right, I don’t know of any other country that allows this. The Government puts no limits and time frames on how many people these hotels can bring in. Royalton brings on managers/supervisors at all levels, paying higher wages, paying their rent, paying for car rentals etc. when there are Antiguans who are a lot more capable than most of these people. We have no idea who these people are. Look at Royalton; two of their employees murdered at Pillar Rock and hear nothing about an ongoing investigation, hmm. Antiguans have to stand up and protest until changes are made.
That hotel around the corner from Curtain Bluff this their moto > bring on Managers at all levels paying higher wages, medical costs, rent, car rentals etc. When there are Antiguans who are a lot more capable than most of these people who still do the training to get them up to speed while getting paid a bare minimum salary! And dont forget the nepotism 🤐
The two guinea pigs yall promote to do all your hard work…. y’all need to leave we pay more money on the other side they don’t care about yah!! 😂 we don’t apply racism to how we pay back folks
@yah I am Antiguan, but I don’t know what it is. I just don’t know. Xenophobic culture in other countries has led to me being here, but I think my people might have come from the docile fields of Africa
They don’t challenge anything
They allow by-gones to be by-gones
The few who are mavericks, are beaten down because everyone looking for something from a narcissistic politician.
The Real badminded culture here though is so STRONG….the crabs are indeed very active ( serious crab mentality )
Craig they fired you from that hotel around the corner from Curtain Bluff but couldn’t keep you down..Good job boss.
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