Gary Thulander, Manager of Cap Juluca Resort, has been chosen as Hotelier of the Year. He was presented with his award at the Tourism Gala Dinner on Friday December 4 held at the beautiful new Coba Restaurant at Viceroy Anguilla, Residences and Spa. Tourism officials and representatives from all aspects of the tourism industry were present at the gala event that was chaired by Delroy Lake, Vice President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA).

Cap Juluca's Manager, Hotelier of the Year

President of the AHTA, Sherille Hughes, said it was very rewarding to see so many members present and welcomed everyone to celebrate the Tourism Week Gala. She commended Viceroy, which officially opens later this month, saying that it will take Anguilla to another level in tourism.

Governor Alistair Harrison noted the recent difficult season for Anguilla’s tourism but stressed that he has confidence in the long-term health of the tourism sector as the world is spending more and more on better and better holidays and that Anguilla is well placed to take advantage of this, because it is at the high end of the sector, when the world economy bounces back. Further, he believes that because of the quality of Anguilla’s product with the best beaches in the world, fabulous resorts and the best food on the Caribbean as the National Culinary team proved earlier in the year, the island will do well.

Maurice Connor awarded

The Hotelier of the Year award was a popular one. It was presented by Jean Kerwin Baptiste, Manager of Scotiabank, Anguilla, sponsor of the award, and Sherille Hughes, President of the AHTA. She said that Gary Thulander, through his bold initiatives, has made a remarkable impact on Anguilla’s landscape in various arenas including the economy, the environment, community life, youth development, employee satisfaction and empowerment, customer service and premium levels of international travel trade recognition. He created a year-round destination by staying open for September and October, he played an instrumental role in the re-opening of the Golf Course, he supported school groups to visit Cap Juluca, he supported six young Anguillians for internship last summer, he increased service standards at the hotel, he increased guest satisfaction and helped to achieve the recent awards the hotel has received.

Taxi-driver Franklin Richardson awarded

The Employee of the Year was Patson Williams, the bartender from Cap Juluca, and the Supervisor of the Year was Deborah Richardson from Malliouhana Hotel and Spa, both sponsored by the National Bank of Anguilla. Desmond Mussington was the Seaport Employee of the Year and Susan Richardson was the Airport Employee. The latter awards were sponsored by FirstCaribbean Bank.
Allied Member of the Year award, sponsored by Cap Juluca, went to Jacquie Ruan from Ripples Restaurant who gave tremendous support for the Culinary team and is very generous with fund raising for special needs children and always hosts Santa on Christmas Eve. A special award was given to Glendon Carty (from Ripples and Cap Juluca) who was the Caribbean’s Chef of the Year. Gilda Samuels, Events Manager of the AHTA also received a special award for all her hard work in organizing this and other events.

Patson Williams of Cap Juluca awarded

There were two Pioneer of the Year awards, sponsored by Caribbean Commercial Bank: one went to Maurice Connor recognized for his long service to the tourism industry as a pilot, a car rental agent, a property owner and Deputy Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board. Franklin Richardson, taxi and bus driver and the first unofficial real estate agent on the island, received the other Pioneer Award.
During the evening more than 30 door prizes, donated by members, were drawn and presented. Following the dinner and the awards, guests enjoyed dancing and music by Boss and the Horespower Band; and outside on the terrace dancing to the music of DJ Sugar.

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