Position: Bartender at the Green Turtle Club
Guardian Business: Can you briefly describe your experience in the tourism sector and what your role is today?
Susan: I began 30 years ago with my first job in tourism at the Green Turtle Club. I worked in several departments - we all did back then. I was a maid, waitress and bartender. For the last 25 years, I have been a bartender. My role as a bartender is not just making drinks and collecting money. I am a representative of The Bahamas! One of the main things I try to be sure of is that the guests walk away happy and feeling great about being here at the Green Turtle Club and thinking about how soon that they can return.
GB: Why did you choose to work in tourism?
Susan: As a young girl growing up in Nassau, I used to go downtown and sell straw dolls on Bay Street to make vacation money. I think I knew right from then that I was destined to be involved with tourism and tourists. I have always, from my first memories, tried to be a good ambassador of The Bahamas. I love people and they seem to love me.
GB: What has been your most memorable moment?
Susan: Several years ago, I heard a call over the VHF radio from someone not staying at the Green Turtle Club. They seemed distressed, so it didn't matter where they were staying; what mattered to me was that someone needed help. I ended up getting a taxi and finding the doctor to get them in to help. This was memorable not only because I was able to help someone in need and maybe save a life, but also because it started a lifelong friendship that I cherish to this day. Of course, my other most memorable event during my career was winning the Cacique Award in January 2007 for the Employee of the Year. To have my daughter LaShondra Curry and so many of my friends and co-workers there cheering me on meant the world to me and to be recognized for the years of service in such a public way was exciting.
GB: Has the industry changed since you started your career?
Susan: The changes have been mostly good. Tourists demand more now than ever and we must be able to stay updated, current, and deliver the best product. Training is more readily available to everyone in the tourism business and that really helps. A big change is that people can go anywhere all over the world and we want to make sure that they want to come here - again and again. Our resort is constantly being upgraded and we are always looking for better ways to improve our service and our product. As a veteran of this business, I always try to be available to the up-and-coming trainees to give them the benefit of my years of experience and to try and instill in them the same love and respect that I have for our guests.
GB: What should The Bahamas focus on to stay competitive?
Susan: Tourism is so important to the Bahamian economy that I feel it needs to be part of the curriculum in the schools from the elementary school level. We need to be highlighting achievements and showcasing tourism as a good, honorable and money making career so that smart young adults will want to further their education and train and come back and join the tourism sector. I am so proud that my daughter has followed in my footsteps, but has also gone further to hopefully be even more successful and make a positive difference in many tourists' vacations. She is graduating with a degree in Tourism Management and Hotel Lodging from Johnson and Wales. I would like to see more students further their education past high school and come back and get into tourism.
GB: What advice would you give to a young person who is considering a career in tourism?
Susan: My advice is to learn to love all kinds of people.....keep it clean.....and have great pride in yourself and your country. Roll up your sleeves and be ready to work hard. Remember that tourism is our bread and butter. A wonderful saying that I have heard several times over the years that I think relates to all of us is that: "We are ladies and gentlemen, serving ladies and gentlemen." Let's go Bahamas!
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
