New Board Leads TCHTA

Turks & Caicos News

New Board Leads TCHTA - March 2013

On Wednesday, March 13, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) bid farewell to its out-going Board of Directors as members elected a new team to take the Association forward.

Taking up responsibility for being the voice of the Association are:

• President - Michel Neutelings of Amanyara Resort
• Vice President - Nikheel Advani of Grace Bay Club
• Treasurer - Pierre Beswick of Hartling Group
• Director - Mona Beeson of The Sands at Grace Bay
• Director - Don Dagenais of Beaches TCI
• Director - Bridgette Thomas of BNC Consulting Inc
• Director - Karen Whitt of Regent Palms
• Director - Kristi Vestal of After 5 Concierge
• Director - Grant Noble of Parrot Cay Resort
• Director - Ian McLeod of Ocean Club Resorts

Newly elected President Michel Neutelings expressed his gratitude at being selected and pledged to take the Association forward, stating, "I am quite emotionally attached to our tourism product in this beautiful country; as I was given the opportunity to develop and manage two luxury properties, which have impacted the destination quite significantly. I have accepted this new position with the intention of continuing to exert a positive influence, both for our tourism product and the country as a whole."

Neutelings added, "We have an unique situation in an extraordinary setting "beautiful by nature" and consummate talent that can deliver the service quality, so that visitors can go away with that memorable experience. The destination must seize the competitive advantage, and not only continue to deliver great experience, but also reinforce our desired position and become market leaders in this industry throughout the Caribbean. We need to set an example by establishing and maintaining the highest standards, leaving other destinations at a competitive disadvantage. This will require us to work closely together with the Government, and other stakeholders, including our taxi services, restaurants, our banks, suppliers and most importantly with the airlines. We must conceptualise our destination in such a way that the service quality delivered is flawless from the minute our visitors board the plane at their point of origin to the minute they step off the plane on their return home."

Former President Karen President, who headed the Association for the past 4 years and is now a Director, also voiced her approval of the new Board. "Once again the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association is being led by a team of dedicated industry executives who have one unified goal, the improvement and continued development of TCI's tourism product," said Whitt. "The Board and TCHTA stand committed to achieving this goal through collaborated efforts with our tourism partners like TCI Tourist Board and TCIAA and by increasing and strengthening our Association Body in order to have a stronger voice and stance."

The Board is encouraging companies that are not yet members to join the Association by contacting 941-5787.

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Written by Turks & Caicos Free Press Newspaper, March 14, 2013.