Jamaica. A $65,000 grant to sponsor scholarships for Caribbean youth was made effective Sunday, Jan. 16, at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean MarketPlace, an event organized by the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association in Montego Bay, Jamaica.The money will be used to sponsor the studies in management and tourism of young people in the region, and was given by the Starwood chain (US $ 20,000), Florida Caribbean Cuise Association (US $ 5,000), Virgin Holidays (US $ 30,000) and Johnson and Wales (US $ 20,000). resources will be channeled through the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation, CHTAEF.
At the end of the ceremony, David Dodwell, veteran owner of Bermuda Reefs and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis, was named hotelier of the Year 2010, an award that recognizes excellence in Caribbean hospitality activity by demonstrating superior achievements in resort operation, food and beverage management, marketing and sales, innovative management, environmental practices and community support.
Dodwell holds a degree in hotel management from Cornell University. He currently owns the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, whose 36 rooms he acquired in 1989. At the awards ceremony, his family and hotel employees starred in an emotional congratulatory video.
