Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Kitts recently celebrated its tourism product, honouring individuals and businesses with an awards ceremony called “St Kitts Experience.”

The event, which was held at the Carambola Beach Club, was attended by St Kitts and Nevis Premier Dr Denzil Douglas and Tourism Minister Sen. Ricky Skerritt, among others.

Earl Clarke and Pedro Douglas won the Legend of the Industry Award for their pioneering work in the island’s taxi trade in the 1950s and 1960s. The two are credited with forming the first taxi associations in the twin-island federation.

Entrepreneur Maurice Widdowson, the owner of the Caribelle Batik and Wingfield Estate, won the Pillar of the Industry Award for his commitment to the tourism industry.

Elroy “Scout” Lewis, the general manager of TDC Airlines, was presented with the Award of Excellence for his contributions to the growth of St Kitts’ tourism sector.

The Kittitian Experience Award went to Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack, a beachfront restaurant located on the Frigate Bay Strip known for its tasty local dishes, Thursday night bonfire parties complete with a fire-eater, karaoke Saturdays and Sunday dinners.

The Employee of the Year Award was given to Gillian Mills of the St Kitts Scenic Railway.
 
The Environmental Excellence Award went to the Frigate Bay Development Corporation for the management of public spaces including parks, beaches, roadside verges, ponds and the coastal area that has become the popular night-time entertainment spot, “The Strip.”
 
Taking home the Achievement of Excellence Award was Serendipity Restaurant. 

Sunlinc was honored with the Pillar of Tourism Industry Award for “setting high standards in the tourism industry, thereby positively impacting its development, and for maintaining a corporate social responsibility program that illustrates its commitment to the community.”
 
The People’s Choice Award was presented to Rosevelt Taylor for his professionalism as an inbound tour operator “who strives to exceed guests’ expectations.”
 
Royd Phipps earned the National Champion Award for “expressing his passion for drumming.” Phipps has implemented the drumming program in a number of schools and performs as a lead drummer of the Okolo Tegremantine Arts Theatre.