Hotelier of the Year Gordon "Butch" Stewart of Sandals Resorts, which has three locations in The Bahamas, was humbled by the recent honor bestowed upon him at the 16th Cacique Awards, but he attributed all of his success to the team behind him.

"I tell all my friends I haven't really worked a day in my life. What I do I enjoy and it has all been possible because of the people that I work with -- support staff, management and general staff," said Stewart at the recent awards held at the Melia Resort.

"The Bahamas is an extraordinary product that makes it easy to be successful. The three resorts that we have in The Bahamas are an example of what a hotel product should be any part of the world," he said.

The Cacique Awards concluded the Ministry of Tourism's 50th anniversary celebrations, giving out duho awards in 18 local and five international categories, placing the spotlight on the best of the best in the country's hospitality industry. Accepting his first duho, Lavardo Knowles, employee of the year winner, said the honor came for him at an all-important time in his life.

"When I was nominated it came at a point where I was feeling really down and it really was a morale boost for me," he said.

His advice to his peers is to continue to work hard and doing what they do, and that someone will recognize and see their potential and worth.

People's Choice Secular category winner Dillon "D-Mac" McKenzie beat out Julien Believe and the Sky Juice Band to receive the duho. The entertainer used his time in the spotlight to appeal to the public to support Bahamian music.

"Firstly, this goes to the struggles of Bahamian entertainers in this country. We are doing our best, we are trying but we need your undying support. This culture needs you. It needs the support of the Bahamian people," he said. "I share this award with all the hardworking entertainers in this industry. This is a victory for Bahamian music. We want to keep Bahamian music alive."

Accepting the Minister's Hospitality Award for the late Dr. Myles Munroe were his children Myles Jr. and Charissa Munroe. Charissa Munroe said her father who died late last year along with eight others including his wife Ruth Ann, was an extraordinary man who deserved the award.

"We are doing everything in my dad's honor at this time. With him being honored and not being here still means that he is still living somewhere. He has been a great teacher to so many and a great father to me and my brother so I will continue to honor him," she said.

The late founder of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI), Myles Munroe International (MMI), International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA) and International Leaders Training Institute (ILTI) has been dubbed the "pioneer of religious tourism in The Bahamas".

Myles Jr. said that even in death his father has done a lot more than he thought he could have done.

"We have been doing our events from 35 years now. He grew as a brand and a name internationally. He knew what he was doing at the time. I think he did everything he could to promote The Bahamas whether it was through travelling, speaking to governments and world leaders. I think it speaks to the man that he was to have a niche market created, which is religious tourism," he said.

Proceeds from the event went to College of The Bahamas students studying tourism-related subjects. The recipients of the nearly $20,000 scholarship went to Shade Pratt and Shannon Knowles.

16th Cacique Award winners
Sales Executive of the Year: Shantilya Sands, director of Sales at Comfort Suites Paradise Island
Handicraft: Ellamae Brennen of the Berry Islands
Transportation: Albury's Ferry Service, Abaco
Local Airlines and Tour Operators: Cherokee Aviation
Chef of the Year: Chef Rosemary Sinclair Hepburn, Atlantis Paradise Island
Creative Arts: Jessica Colebrooke, Berry Islands
Supervisor of the Year: Sharaca Fraizer-McDonald, British Colonial Hilton
Sustainable Tourism: Bimini Sands Activities Centre
Employee of the Year: Lavardo Knowles, British Colonial Hilton.
Manager of the Year: Glenroy Pratt of Atlantis Paradise Island
Human Resources Development: Sonia Cox-Hamilton
Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure: Ebenezer "Bonefish Ebbie" David of Bimini
Special Events: The National Family Island Regatta Planning Committee
Minister's Award for Hospitality: The late Dr. Myles Munroe
Hotelier of the Year: Gordon "Butch" Stewart of Sandals Resorts
Clement T. Maynard's Lifetime Achievement Award: Nathaniel "Piccolo" Pete of Bimini
People's Choice Award Gospel: Nehemiah Hield
People's Choice Award Secular: Dillon "D-Mac" McKenzie

International categories winners:
International Travel Writer: Julien LaJournade
International Travel Agent: Debbie Clarke
International Tour Operator: Sunwing Travel Group
International Airline: American Airlines
International Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

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