By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

ONE hundred and ten individuals and organisations have been recognised for their excellent service to the Bahamian tourism sector by being nominated for this year’s Cacique Awards.

Announcing the nominees at the British Colonial Hilton yesterday, officials revealed two new categories have been added to the 17th annual award show – the Blue Ribbon Panel and Wilfred “Willie” Love Knowles Tourism awards. 

The purpose of the Cacique Awards is to recognise the roles played by those individuals and organisations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and the growth of tourism in The Bahamas. The nominees were selected by the Blue Ribbon Panel.

“In selecting the winners of these national awards, transparency and objectivity are the guiding principles,” said committee chairwoman Angela Cleare. “Although Cacique is the brainchild of the Ministry of Tourism and organised by them, the Blue Ribbon Panel is an autonomous entity that carries out the selection process independently of the Ministry of Tourism. I can assure you that the selection of finalists was not an easy task.

“We can have the most significant hotel properties, world-class tourist attractions, the most exclusive restaurants, but we need the service that exceeds a guest’s expectations. Therefore, the goal of our industry is to distinguish The Bahamas as a tourist destination that is synonymous with excellence in service. The Cacique Awards have recognised, celebrated and rewarded excellence.”

Another special award is the Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement award, which this year will go to Enrico Garzaroli, owner of the Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant. Ms Cleare said Mr Garzaroli and his family have set a gold standard for fine dining in The Bahamas since 1973, when he purchased the Graycliff property.

He not only turned the property into a first-class restaurant and hotel, but also into a cigar company and a wine cellar that houses more than 250,000 bottles, with 3,000 different wines from over 400 vintners and 15 countries.

“In recent years, the Garzarolis have quietly gone about the business of developing a whole new destination within New Providence. Every day out of the week you will see a steady stream of visitors making the trek to the top of the hill overlooking the city of Nassau on their way to the Graycliff Cultural Village - a complex that showcases the art, history and architecture of The Bahamas,” said Ms Cleare.

“It is now a must on the itinerary of visitors to Nassau. The Cacique Awards is our opportunity to thank the Garzarolis for their excellent contribution to the development of our tourism industry.”

Stating that “everyone kept the news of the award a secret,” an appreciative Mr Garzaroli said that the secret to his success is simply hard work. “Never relax. Never believe that you have reached something, because there is always somebody, somewhere, somehow that comes out with new ideas, so you have to be going to the shows. It’s really a pleasant challenge,” he said.

Tickets for the 17th Cacique Awards - on April 8 at the Baha Mar Convention Centre - will go on sale on Monday. They are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Ministry of Tourism.