Kel Thompson receives tourism Lifetime Achievement Award
(CNS Business): The best of the best in the Cayman Islands tourism industry were honoured at the 12th Annual Cayman Stingray Tourism Awards hosted by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) at the Ritz-Carlton Tuesday night. During the ceremony over 50 industry professionals, from all sectors including accommodations, allied, attractions, transportation, restaurants and watersports, were recognized for their hard work in the community. Kel Thompson, owner of the Wyndham Reef Resort and founder of the Century 21 Real Estate firm, received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award for his three decades of service to the island.
Several government dignitaries attended the event including the Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell, Councillor of Tourism Joseph Hew, Chief Officer for the Ministry of District Administration, Tourism & Transport Stran Bodden, as well as Director of the Department of Tourism Rosa Harris.
The Executive Committee of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, Board of Directors and CITA President Ken Hydes, presented the glass Stingray Awards to the winners.
Clemens Guettler, the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, presented the Restaurant certificates to nominees and Katherine Tatum, Cayman Islands Tourism Ambassador, presented the Rising Star nominees certificates. Locksley Haylock of The Westin presented the Rising Star Award and Moses Kirkconnell presented several awards including the Long Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners of the 2015 Cayman Stingray Tourism Awards are as follows:
Accommodations:
Manager – Shelly Ann Myrie – Silver Rain a La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
Employee – Fernando Yorke – Southern Cross Club
Allied:
Manager – Joelle McCrae – Cayman Turtle Farm
Employee – Damion Francis – Majestic Tours
Restaurant:
Manager – Carol Boulton – Rum Point Club
Employee – Juliet Bucknal – Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
Watersports:
Manager – Sarah-Jane Whitehill – Red Sail Sports
Employee – Tony Chisholm – Seasports Diving
Long Service – Sadie Chollette – Plantana Condominiums
Rising Star – Sarah Hydes – Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
Lifetime Achievement Award: Norberg Kelvin Thompson, Jr. – The Wyndham Reef Resort/Century 21
Category: Tourism
Perhaps now this star can fix the crap piece of land he owns opposite the old bakery on the Waterfront by the fish market. Whilst Jacques Scott and others are renovating the boardwalk driven by local architect Robert Johnson the Thompsons have accumulated a pile of tarmac and marl having dug up the sidewalk and leave on the same property outdoor carpeting, pots,dying trees and garbage. The new adjoining sidewalk looks great and offers safety to tourists. The Thompsons offer nothing. Take a look on a busy cruise ship day. It looks dreadful.
So much for his contribution to tourism.