Hospitality Jamaica wins prestigious award

CONTRIBUTED - A teary-eyed Janet Silvera (centre), coordinator of 'Hospitality Jamaica', is overwhelmed with emotion as she accepts the 2006 Overall Award for Excellence in Tourism Reporting in the Caribbean from Dianelys Rodriquez (left), of American Express and Berthia Parle, CHA chairman, during the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC) 2006, in Miami, two weeks ago.

TWO WEEKS ago, I stood onstage at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, accepting the American Express Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) 2006 Overall Award for Excellence in Tourism Reporting in the Caribbean and was overwhelmed with emotions so much that I could not stop crying.

I cried tears of joy in front of at least 800 persons and for a moment I was embarrassed because I could not get my tear ducts to cease, then I realised that so many persons, in the audience also had tears in their eyes while they cheered me on.

I will remember the day for the rest of my life and I will never forget Zein Nackash of SuperClubs, who helped me unreservedly to get to that apex.

She saw the competition advertised and called me with excitement in her voice. She said, "Janet send me six of your best copies of Hospitality Jamaica, I am entering you for the CHA Media Award. Looking at the criteria you are the ideal person to win."

She was so excited, and of course it rubbed off on me. The rest is history.

Today, we carry some of the kind messages that friends and readers of Hospitality Jamaica have sent us. Enjoy.