Any member of the public may cast a nomination for the general awards, The Minster of Tourism’s Hospitality Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. They may nominate as many persons as they wish. The same person may also be nominated for more than one award if he/she is making a contribution in more than one area.

To be eligible for the awards, the nominees must be residents of The Bahamas, whose products or performance have a positive impact on the quality development of Bahamian tourism.

Nominees must be consistently high performers.

Nominations for awards in the Hotel Sector must come from members of the Bahamas Hotel Association and meet BHA criteria.

Employees of the Ministry of Tourism and their agencies are not eligible for nomination.

Procedures

This year, Cacique nomination forms are available to Bahamians no matter where they are in the world. No matter how far from home, every Bahamian with access to the internet may fill out a nomination form via this internet site.

In addition, our normal hard copy nomination forms are still available. Nomination forms for the onshore awards are available throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to ensure that Cacique Awards are as representative as possible of the wishes of the entire population.

The process and all other organizational aspects of the awards ceremony are under the direction of the Working Committee. Nominations are collated by the selection committee, which reduces the number by identifying the top three to five nominees in each category.

If there are no nominations in a particular category, then that category is declared null and void. Likewise, if all the nominations in a category are deemed weak or unsupported then that category is null and void.

The Bahamas Hotel Association selects hotel industry winners, based on a review of the nominees by a panel of judges appointed by the BHA.

The Blue Ribbon Panel selects winners in general nomination categories and ratifies all winners.

Winners are announced and the Cacique Awards presented at a gala ceremony shortly after.

Nomination Categories

TRANSPORTATION…The Nominee has consistently provided exemplary service and/or helped to improve transportation through innovation (Taxis, Airlines, Local Tour Operators, Jitneys, Water Taxis, Ferries and Surreys).

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT…The Nominee has contributed to the development of professionalism in the tourist industry. (Includes Teachers, Lecturers and Human Resource Managers).

SPORTS, LEISURE & EVENTS…The Nominee has helped to promote the growth of tourism in such areas as golf, tennis, regattas, fishing, water sports, triathlons and festivals.

CREATIVE ARTS…The Nominee has made a significant contribution to tourism in the area of painting, sculpture, pottery, writing, music, performing arts or photography.

HANDICRAFT…The Nominee has created quality Bahamian handicraft. (Please submit samples of your work. Actual item(s) preferred but color photographs or electronic images are acceptable)

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD…An individual, organization or group which has developed a tourist attraction or facility for the enjoyment of our visitors that promotes harmony with the environment, and strengthens linkages between tourism and other sectors of the economy.

THE CLEMENT T. MAYNARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD…A person (working or retired) who has made an outstanding contribution to the growth of tourism for twenty years or more.

THE MINISTER’S AWARD…A person (working or retired) who has exemplified Bahamian hospitality toward visitors.