Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Sweeping five of the 14 awards from the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association at its banquet last Friday are members of the Negril team (from left): JHTA president, Wayne Cummings, Kool Runnings Water Park's Giovanna Allella, Point Village's Ernie Samson, Rondel Village's Carolyn Wright, Point Village's Evelyn Smith, Charela Inn's Sofie Roumel and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. - photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Point Village's Evelyn Smith and Ernie Samson, Charela Inn's Daniel Grizzle, small hotel Rondel Village and ace attraction Kool Runnings were the big winners at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's (JHTA) 47th annual banquet last Friday.

There was nothing casual about the 'capital of casual' when the resort town walked off with five of the 14 coveted awards at the black-tie affair at the Half Moon resort in Montego Bay.

Top performer

Topping the list for Negril was 'Hotelier of the Year', Evelyn Smith, general manager of Point Village Resort, who was hailed as "an avid practitioner in the fine art of habitual excellence", while executive housekeeper Ernie Samson, "team player and shining example to her peers", captured the 'Supervisor of the Year' award.

Exceptional intimate resort Rondel Village won the Exim Bank 'Small Hotel of the Year' award; the thrilling and exciting Kool Runnings Water Park was named 'Allied Members Attraction of the Year', and Negril hotelier, environmentalist and community champion Daniel Grizzle received a 'JHTA Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Sharing the spotlight were Professor Heinz Simonitsch, who also earned a 'JHTA Lifetime Achievement Award', 'Hotel Employee of the Year' won by Kingsley Blake, concierge at Round Hill Hotel, and 'Tourism Employee of the Year', Appleton Rum Tours guest relations supervisor, Orville Sutherland.

Walking away with the Allied Members Service awards were leading food distributors Caribbean Producers 'Purveyor of the Year'; JamVenture Tours and Services, 'Local Transportation Company' and British Airways, 'Most Outstanding International Airline'.

The National Dance Theatre Company, Sandals Dunn's River & Spa, Kingston's Four Seasons Hotel were the other recipients.

President of the JHTA Wayne Cummings (left) hands over the plaque to CPJ's Tom Tyler (centre) and Mark Hart for Purveyor of the Year.

Hotelier of the Year 2008, Evelyn Smith (centre), general manager of Point Village Negril, is flanked by president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Wayne Cummings (left) and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.