PROFILE ...Martin Nicholson ­ general manager

MARTIN NICHOLSON, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica, since July 2002, has led the exclusive 427 beachfront luxury hotel to many successes, particularly maintaining the AAA Five Diamond Award.

The Ritz-Carlton is the only resort in Jamaica to have this prestigious and coveted award and one of only four resorts in the Caribbean region to have received this recognition.

Drawn to the Caribbean region right out of college in 1974, he spent two years in the British Virgin Islands, before emigrating to Canada in 1976. Five years later, he was transferred to Ottawa as general manager of The Delta Ottawa Hotel.

His fondness for the Caribbean, however, lured him back to the United States Virgin Islands, where he served for nine years as vice-president and general manager at Caneel Bay on St. John.

Three years later, the distinguished native of Ireland, returned home to serve for three years as managing director at Mount Juliet, a five-star resort and real estate development in Kilkenny.

PRIVILEGED

Prior to his appointment at The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, his illustrious career took him to the Carmel Valley Ranch Resort in Carmel, California, where he served as vice-president and general manager.

"I feel very privileged to work with the finest group of ladies and gentlemen within the Ritz- Carlton Hotel Company. Since our very first day of operation in August 2000, our ladies and gentlemen have worked to maintain our traditional Ritz-Carlton service standards, and have infused and enthused these standards with unique Jamaican enhancements," said Mr. Nicholson.

"I have had countless letters over the past three years on the genuine care, warm welcome and attention that our guests have experienced at Rose Hall. Our guests have left Jamaica with such fond memories of their vacations that I am confident we will see them return, year after year."

"In fact, we already have guests who visit Rose Hall as many as five times annually. In each case, it is because of the warm and caring personalised service levels they have experienced at Rose Hall, provided by our ladies and gentlemen."

GREATER JAMAICAN SPIRIT

Outlining the most recent example of commitment displayed by the ladies and gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton, he recounted the April 27 rains which damaged the resort.

"There are elements of a greater Jamaican spirit and pride in this recounting, as not only our Ritz Carlton ladies and gentlemen, but also our tourism partners, competitors, government offices and all of our suppliers, contractors, offered a helping hand."

He said owing to the fact the resort systems, including electricity and phones were damaged, they were forced to close the resort temporarily to clean-up and repair the damage. "While our ladies and gentlemen did a stellar job during the two-month period, assisting with clean-up, painting, repairs, our many tourism partners went above and beyond in making sure we had all the cooperation and assistance to fully recover."

"The level of assistance and support ran the gamut of other hotels helping with stranded guests; suppliers assisting with expediting shipments; assistance from many government ministries in fast-tracking imports; supportive visits from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Minister of Tourism Aloun N'Dombet Assamba, and many more.

"And so, on behalf of our ladies and gentlemen we want to use this opportunity to once again express thanks, gratitude and appreciation for this tremendous support."