Four outstanding employees and 20 retirees received special honours recently at the 3rd Annual Ministry of Tourism Signature Awards (MOTSA).

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said farewell to employees would be entering retirement after several years of service. The new retirees, who had worked with the Ministry for up to 29 years, were presented with retirement gifts by Acting Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Neko Grant.

?Public Service is about advancing the interest of Bahamians? said Greg Barrett who was one of the recipients of the retired veterans.

Meanwhile, Mia Lange of the Bahamas Tourist Office in Plantation, Florida was the recipient of the Director General?s Award, which recognizes the staff member selected as the most innovative in reaching visitors and potential visitors. The Exuma Tourist Office took the Team Award. The Exuma Office is known for organizing successful events such as the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival.

Ambrose Fernander, the Ministry?s Graphics Manager, received the Permanent Secretary?s Award for efficiency, and Lillis Swann of the Family Islands Department walked away with the All-Star Employee Award for overall performance.

MOTSA is an annual fixture of National Tourism Week designed to recognise and help motivate employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges after being nominated by Ministry colleagues.


Photo: Lillis Swann, All-Star Employee of the Year for the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. (Photo: Derek Smith/BIS)