David Dodwell Named Caribbean Hotelier Of The Year

David Dodwell, owner of two widely acclaimed resorts, The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, has been recognized as the 2010 “Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.” Dodwell was honored with the award before an international audience of hospitality and tourism industry leaders at Caribbean Marketplace 2011, hosted at the new Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award is co-sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Ypartnership.

With a prestigious industry career spanning more than four decades, Dodwell joins the ranks of preeminent hotel and resort executives as the 33rd recipient of the Caribbean Hotelier of the Year – the highest professional honor bestowed by CHTA. Presented annually, this esteemed award recognizes an outstanding hotelier in the Caribbean region for demonstrating excellence in all areas of hotel and resort operations, as well as a commitment to the training and development of staff, to the community, and to sound environmental practices. The honor also acknowledges each recipient’s active role in both national and regional issues affecting Caribbean tourism.

A native Bermudian and graduate of the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Dodwell is a former Minister of Tourism for Bermuda, and once served as president of the Bermuda Hotel Association where he was also previously honored as Bermuda Hotelier of the Year.

He has always been committed to serving his local community – both in Nevis and Bermuda. He is a Member of the Resort Committee of the American Hospitality & Lodging Association, and has served many other leadership roles.

Dodwell has been at the helm of The Reefs in Bermuda, which includes 19 luxury two- and three-bedroom beachfront suites, for nearly 40 years and at Nisbet Plantation for more than 20 years.

In 1999, Nisbet Plantation established a local elementary school “adoption” program, stocking library shelves with children’s books and computers, while also encouraging school supply donations from resort guests. As a result, children are now reading at a level two grades higher than before the program began. Nisbet Plantation’s Chef also mentored Nevis high school students as part of the 2010 St. Kitts & Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association’s Project Future Chef program.

Under his leadership, the 36-room Nisbet Plantation Beach Club has grown to be one of the Caribbean’s foremost resorts, renowned internationally for its exceptional service and guest satisfaction. Dodwell’s innovative training and team-building initiatives have resulted in exceptional loyalty among staff and remarkable guest return rates.

In 2010, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club was ranked the #1 Hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas by Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards, named among Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List of the World’s Best Places to Stay and The Reefs was named the #1 Hotel in the Atlantic in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Dodwell’s proactive role in the Nevis community also extends to environmental stewardship. Numerous eco-initiatives helped Nisbet Plantation achieve the rigorous requirements for Green Globe 21 certification by Green Globe International.

In October 2007, Nisbet Plantation constructed an artificial reef to provide a habitat for sea life, create a calmer swimming area for guests, and save numerous palm trees by preventing beach erosion. As a result, more than 15 feet of beach has reappeared. Other initiatives include the planting of a coconut palm for every wedding held at the resort, an organized Hands-on Earth Day beach cleanup, and both water and energy recycling conservation efforts. Sustainable cuisine spotlighting local fish, produce and even local St. Kitts and Nevis rum are staples in the Plantation’s dining venues.

About The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association | The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) facilitates the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving members’ needs and building partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. CHTA was founded in 1962; it is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality industry for the development of the region in the highly competitive and sophisticated environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely recognized as a pivotal industry in the economy of the region – and CHTA functions as the common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse nationalities, languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshalling the resources of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents all facets of the hospitality industry with more than 725 member hotels and 525 allied members. For more information, visit .

Theresa Oakes/Josh Kahn
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