Cacique Awards nomination forms now available

By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

Organizers of the Annual Cacique Awards have announced that nomination forms for the ninth event are now available and all nominations should be completed, and submitted by November 19.

The Cacique Awards aim to honour Bahamians for their contribution to the advancement and development of the tourism industry and the country, and more importantly those responsible for quality service to visitors to the islands.

Over the years nominations from Grand Bahama have been tremendous and this year no less is expected.

In 2003, four of the 11 nominees from Grand Bahama were successful in claiming the prestigious Award – Donald McCartney, senior assistant secretary of the Ministry of Public Services; Albert Bell, teacher at Beacon School; Anthony "Zipps" Hanna, a local businessman and Dwaine Clare, a chef Our Lucaya.

Mr. McCartney received the Human Resources Cacique Award; Mr. Bell for sports and leisure; Mr. Hanna won the Minister of Tourism Award and Mr. Clare, the Special Award.

With the 2005 annual awards ceremony scheduled for January 28, organizers noted that nominations are accepted in the following categories: transportation, human resources development, nature tourism, sports and leisure, creative arts, handicraft, special award, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Minister's Award.

Criteria for nominees in the transportation category should have consistently provided exemplary service and helped to improve the transportation industry through positive interaction with visitors and or innovation in transportation.

Individuals in the following areas; taxis, airlines, local tour operators, public busing, water taxis, ferries and surreys can be named to this category.

For human resources development award, nominees must have contributed to the development of professionalism in the tourist industry; this area is inclusive of teachers in schools, lecturers at BHTC, COB and human resource managers.

In the nature tourism category nominees are accepted for having created quality tourist related attractions and/or accommodations in harmony with the environment, or contributed to the protection of the environment and animal life.

Sports and leisure nominees should have helped to improve sports tourism by organizing events and/or through positive interaction with visitors; this includes golf, tennis, regattas, fishing, water sports, triathlons and more.

Creative arts nominees are required to have made long and continued contribution to tourism in the area of painting, sculpture, pottery, writing, music or photography.

Handicraft nominees would have created quality Bahamian souvenirs and handicraft. Nominees for the special award can be an individual, organization or group which has developed a tourist attraction or facility, for the enjoyment of our visitors and done the most to strengthen linkages between tourism and other sectors of the economy.

Individuals nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award - working or retired would have made consistent outstanding contributions to the growth of tourism for 20 years or more.

And, those nominated for the Minister's Award – working or retired – must have exemplified Bahamian hospitality through genuine friendliness and concern toward visitors.

In Grand Bahama, said organizers, nomination forms are to be submitted by hand to the Grand Bahama Tourist office, International Bazaar, or completed online at i.

© 2004 The Freeport News