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News : Ministry of Tourism Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Bahamas Tourism holds Cacique Awards in Golden Celebration
By Lindsay Thompson, BIS
Jan 30, 2015 - 4:30:33 AM

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The Minister’s Award for Hospitality went to the late Dr Myles Munroe, who died in a plane crash with eight others, including his wife Ruth, on November 9, 2014. The award was presented during the 16th Cacique Awards ceremony held at the Meliá Nassau Resort on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Pictured from left are Tourism Presenter, Dr. Munroe’s children Charissa Munroe and Myles Munroe Jr., and the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism. (Photo Tourism Today)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The best in service, arts and entertainment was showcased during the 16th Cacique Awards ceremony held at the Meliá Nassau Resort on Saturday, January 24, 2015.

The script read like a who’s who in Tourism as noted local and international stakeholders were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the country’s premier industry.

In his written message, the Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcome said, “On this occasion of the 16th Cacique Awards, we celebrate our commitment to excellence and recognize those who have successfully delivered the highest standards in quality and innovation in the tourism industry.”

The awards ceremony capped off the Ministry of Tourism’s 50th anniversary celebrations under the theme: “Tourism – 50 Golden Years, The Best is Yet To Come”.

Among the top awards were: The Sir Clement T. Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Nathaniel “Piccolo Pete” Saunders, 100 years of age, of Bimini, who has been entertaining local and international visitors for about 90 years including noted author Ernest Hemmingway.

The Minister’s Award for Hospitality went to the late Dr. Myles Munroe, who died in a plane crash with eight others, including his wife Ruth, on November 9, 2014. Dr. Munroe was an international motivational speaker, leadership coach and best selling author who travelled extensively to over 90 nations.

And, the Hotelier of the Year Award went to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, owner of Sandals Resort on Exuma.

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Clement T. Maynard’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Nathaniel “Piccolo Pete” Saunders of Bimini. (Photo Tourism Today)

The Cacique Awards were initiated in 1995 – to reward those who have proven to be the most outstanding leaders in the Tourism Industry in the country. Historically, the name Cacique is what the first Bahamians the Lucayans, called their leader. And the hand-held award – the Duho - is the leader’s seat of power.

A Blue Ribbon Panel of eight, headed by Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson, deliberated over nominations and selected winners in the following categories: Sales Executive of the Year, Handicraft, Chef of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Cecil Rose’s Sports and Leisure Award, Special Events, Human Resources Development, Manager of the Year, Creative Arts, Sustainable Tourism, Transportation, Local Airlines and Tour Operators, Employee of the Year, Hotelier of the Year, Minister’s Award for Hospitality, Lifetime Achievement Award, People’s Choice Awards Gospel and Secular respectively,  and awards for International Travel Writer, International Travel Agent, Cruise Line of the Year, International Tour Operator of the Year and International Airline.

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Photos: Tourism Today

The winners were as follows:


Sales Executive of the Year: Shantilya Sands, Director of Sales at Comfort Suites Paradise Island.

Handicraft: Ellamae Brennen of The Berry Islands.

Transportation: Albury’s Ferry Service, Abaco.

Local Airlines and Tour Operators: Cherokee Aviation.

Chef of the Year:  Chef Rosemary Sinclair Hepburn, Atlantis Paradise Island.

Creative Arts: Jessica Colebrooke, The Berry Islands.

Supervisor of the Year: Sharaca Frazier- McDonald, British Colonial Hilton.

Sustainable Tourism: Bimini Sands Activities Centre.

Employee of the Year: Lavardo Knowles, British Colonial Hilton.

Manager of the Year: Glenroy Pratt of Atlantis Paradise Island.

Human Resources Development: Sonia Cox-Hamilton.

Winner of Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure: Ebenezer “Bonefish Ebbie” David of Bimini.

Special Events: The National Family Island Regatta Planning Committee.

Minister’s Award for Hospitality: The Late Dr. Myles Munroe.

Hotelier of the Year: Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart of Sandals Resorts.

Clement T. Maynard’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Nathaniel “Piccolo Pete” Saunders of Bimini.

People’s Choice Award Gospel: Nehemiah Hield.

People’s Choice Award Secular: Dillon ‘D-Mac’ McKenzie.

The International Categories Winners were as follows:

International Travel Writer: Julien LaJournade.

International Travel Agent: Debbie Clarke.

International Tour Operator: Sunwing Travel Group.

International Airline: American Airlines.

International Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

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Musician and entertainer Nathaniel “Piccolo Pete” Saunders, 100 years of age, of Bimini, shows he’s still got the moves, as he received The Sir Clement T. Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award, during the16th Cacique Awards ceremony held at the Meliá Nassau Resort on Saturday, January 24, 2015. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

The proceeds of the awards went to College of The Bahamas students studying tourism-related subjects. The recipients of the nearly $20,000 scholarship went to Shade Pratt and Shannon Knowles.

Hundreds of people, who attended the ceremony in the elegantly-decorated Convention Centre, enjoyed performances from all the People’s Choice nominees of both gospel and secular categories, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Pop Band, dance performances from the Cacique Dancers and a special musical tribute to the late Dr. Myles Munroe by the Visionaires’ ‘Brand New World’.

The night closed out with an elaborate reception and live performance by the Spank Band.


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Scholarship recipients (Photo Tourism Today)




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