Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort’s managing director named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year
St Lucian Anthony Bowen awarded for his many contributions to the Caribbean hospitality industry
Miami, Florida (July 3, 2006) – Anthony Bowen, managing director of the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort and Spa in Gros Islet, St Lucia, was honoured by his peers last week at the 2006 Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference with the 2006 Golden Conch Award as Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.
The prestigious award recognizes superior hotel management, as well as the ability to nurture the intricate elements that lay the foundation of success, not only for a specific property, but the Caribbean hospitality industry at large. Each year’s winner of the Golden Conch Award adds to the high standards for which the award has become renowned.
A native of Barbados, Anthony Bowen began his whirlwind career as food and beverage manager, then assistant general manager of the Southern Palms Hotel in Barbados. His next position was a partner in the Silver Sands Beach Hotel, then on to the Sandy Lane Hotel as food and beverage manager, and later, director of operations for Pemberton Resorts. In 1986 Bowen became a shareholder in the Treasure Beach Hotel.
In 1989, after having relocated to Jamaica as vice-president of development for Ciboney Villa Resorts, Bowen moved on to St Lucia as general manager of the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort. Never standing still too long, Bowen ventured to Antigua to manage the Pineapple Beach Resorts and was later hired to develop and open the Carlisle Bay Resort in Antigua.
He returned to St Lucia and the Windjammer Landing Resort as the managing director, where he moved swiftly to set about changing the sales and marketing strategy of this luxurious 238-room villa-hotel resort. His efforts resulted in increased revenue for the resort – a growth that has been consistent over the last three years.
Under Bowen’s management, the Windjammer Landing was voted the Best Caribbean Villa Resort by Caribbean World and also received a Silver Award from Virgin Holidays for the best hotel in the Caribbean.
As chief executive officer he introduced a new management style that gave more responsibility to employees. Now solutions to problems are broad based, and employees feel a greater sense of achievement and pride in their workplace. Additionally, on two separate occasions Bowen led his staff repairing the road leading to the hotel when requests to government were unsuccessful.
Bowen encourages participation in the Taste of the Caribbean culinary competitions, and his staff supports the Tourist Board at various overseas functions. Almost all Windjammer staff are St Lucians who are highly trained and motivated. In addition, he instituted a company-wide Windjammer health plan for all employees.
More recently Bowen established an Environmental Committee within the resort with plans to become Green Globe certified.
In 1995 Bowen was voted by his peers as St Lucian Hotelier of the Year, and rewarded for his outstanding contribution to the industry in general, and the association in particular.
Beyond his successful career as hotelier, Anthony Bowen has just completed two and half years as president of the St Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association, for which he was also president from 1996-97. He has also found time to represent the association on the St Lucia Tourist Board, the government-appointed Tourist Advisory Council, the Cricket World Cup Accommodation Committee and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). At one time he was Chairman of CHA’s Small Hotels Committee and is a longstanding member of CHA’s Board of Directors. He is currently treasurer of the Caribbean Hotel Foundation, and has raised funds for the foundation with a very successful golf tournament at Cap Estate in St Lucia.
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