January 7, 2008 -- The Ministry of Tourism today announced finalists for the 12th Annual Cacique Awards to be held February 1, 2008 at Rainforest Theatre.

A distinguished panel of judges examined dozens of nominations from across the nation in eight categories.  After hours of deliberation, the piles of nominations were whittled down to a select group of finalists.  Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will be the culmination of National Tourism Week.

This year features finalists from nine islands.  Finalists have been selected from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, Bimini, Abaco, Long Island, Eleuthera, Andros and the Berry Islands.

“This is clearly our most diverse group of finalists to date,” said Janet Johnson, director of Product and Events Strategy in the Ministry of Tourism and co-chairperson for the Cacique Awards.  “We received nominations from so many of our major islands.  The Cacique Awards uncovers our most hard-working and talented Bahamians, and the level of competition really highlights how deserving the winners are.”
On February 1, Cacique Awards will be given to the best performers in Transportation, Human Resources Development, Handicraft, Sustainable Tourism, Creative Arts, the Minister’s Award for Hospitality, Lifetime Achievement and Sports, Leisure & Events.

In addition, awards will be given to the best performers in the hotel sector as determined by a panel of the Bahamas Hotel Association.  The hotel categories are Employee of the Year, Chef of the Year, Manager of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Sales Executive of the Year and Hotelier of the Year.

The complete list of finalists:

TRANSPORTATION:

Smith                           -           Andros

1.   Wendy Cartwright        -           Exuma

2.   Nick Austin
(The Cooper King)              -           Nassau

3.   Celestine Albury           -           Nassau

1.   Kimberly Roberts          -           Abaco

2.   Cathy Laing                  -           Grand Bahama

3.   Cheryl Adderley           -           Long Island

1.   Kingsley Holbert           -           Exuma

2.   Noel & Ivy Roberts       -           Abaco

3.   Bill & Nowlda Keefe    -           Bimini

Barrie Farrington          -           Nassau

      1.   Emanuel Alexiou                       -           Abaco Beach Resort & Marina