The Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator Janet Silvera (centre) is all smiles after accepting the American Express Award for Excellence in Tourism Reporting from American Express' vice-president of establishment services - Latin America, Dianelys Rodriquez (left), and Caribbean Hotel Association President Berthia Parle during the fifth annual American Express Tourism Media Awards in Miami, Florida, yesterday. - PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL CANCELLARRES
MIAMI, Florida:
AIR JAMAICA'S George DeMercardo, The Gleaner's Janet Silvera, soca king Byron Lee and Sandals Montego Bay were honoured yesterday at the American Express 'Salute to the Stars of the Caribbean' luncheon.
Held in collaboration with the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the presentations were made at the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Miami, Florida.
Mr. DeMercardo, vice-president of alliances and administration at Air Jamaica, was named the 2006 CHA Allied Member of the Year, while Ms. Silvera won the Overall Award for Excellence in Tourism Reporting for her work on the fortnightly industry magazine, Hospitality Jamaica. Sandals Montego Bay won the Caribbean Environmental Award in the large hotel category and Byron Lee was recognised for 50 years of dedication to the region's music.
"The dedication and efforts of George are an indisputable testament to his commitment to the region's tourism industry and CHA," said Dianelys Rodríguez, VP of American Express Establishment Services - Latin America and Caribbean.
QUALITY IN PROFESSIONAL REPORTING
Ms. Silvera, who shared the limelight with fellow journalists Hans Vader, of Antilliaans Dagblad, in Curaçao, and Orin Gordon, with the BBC Caribbean Service, both recognised for quality in professional reporting on tourism and tourism development issues in the Caribbean, was described as veteran tourism writer with a laudable body of work.
"Janet is doing an extraordinary job of bringing the world of tourism to the people of Jamaica," said Mrs. Rodríguez. "Any single issue gives the reader a bird's eye view of current events in travel and tourism - challenges and accomplishments, best practices and issues to ponder - which helps to stimulate a better understanding of the industry among her fellow Jamaicans."
