On April 11, 2026, Saint Lucia’s thriving tourism industry gathered at The Pavilion on Rodney Bay for the 2025 GIMIES Awards, an annual prestigious ceremony that celebrates the top businesses, individuals, and organizations driving the island’s world-renowned travel sector. The event shines a spotlight on outstanding contributions across four core pillars: service excellence, innovative development, sustainable practice, and long-term industry growth, while highlighting the remarkable resilience and consistent expansion of Saint Lucia’s tourism economy.
One of the most meaningful honors of the night went to Cox & Company, which received a centennial milestone award recognizing 100 years of dedicated service to shaping Saint Lucia’s tourism landscape. The ceremony also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Felix Finisterre, alongside special recognition for Rosaline Impy Milner, owner of Yacht Club; Isidore Brisefert, a veteran taxi driver with Southern Taxi; and Rebecca Auguste, owner of The Seagull Beach Bar & Grill, for their decades of commitment to the sector.
In his official remarks at the event, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Culture, Creative Industries and Heritage, emphasized the event’s core mission: “This year’s awards placed strong emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and workforce development – critical pillars shaping the future of tourism on the island. The GIMIES continue to serve as a platform to recognise excellence, inspire high standards, and celebrate the people and organisations that make Saint Lucia a world-class destination.”
Awards were distributed across two broad categories: individual honors and organizational recognition, spanning every major sub-sector of Saint Lucia’s tourism industry. For individual awards, top honors went to Hermanly Fletcher (Anse Chastanet Resort) as Small Hotel Employee of the Year, Cyrus Elijah Jn. Baptiste (Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort) as Medium Hotel Employee of the Year, and Liam Hippolyte (Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences) as Large Hotel Employee of the Year. In transportation and recreation categories, Iselma Phillip (Hibiscus Tours Saint Lucia) claimed Land-Based Transportation Employee of the Year, Daniel Jn Baptiste (Sea Spray Cruises Ltd) took home Marine-Based Transportation Employee of the Year, R’Montay Regis (Soufriere Regional Development Foundation) won Sites and Adventure Employee of the Year, and Tyller Jules (TS Services SLU) was named Tourism Transport Operator of the Year. Additional individual honors went to Anice O’Neil (UWI Global Campus) as Tourism and Hospitality Student of the Year, Aaron Joseph (Father Nature Adventures) as Independent Tour Guide of the Year, Laila Saige Dolort (Garmaii Enterprises) as Independent Restaurant Employee of the Year, Boniface Modeste (Ladera Resort) as Craft and Souvenir Retailer of the Year, Ivar James (Soufriere Regional Development Foundation) as Port Employee of the Year, Elver Descartes (ATV Direct) won the People’s Choice Award, and Cheris Fitz (Fitzie) took home the Youth in Tourism honor.
On the organizational side, accommodation category winners included Cap Maison Resort & Spa (Small Hotel of the Year), StolenTime Saint Lucia (Medium Hotel of the Year), Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort (Large Hotel of the Year), and Sunset Bliss Villa (Collection de Pepites Property of the Year). For transportation and recreation, Panoramic Excursions Ltd won Ground Excursion Business of the Year, Sugar Boat Charters Inc. took Small Marine Based Transportation Operator of the Year, Sea Spray Cruises Ltd claimed Large Marine-Based Tourism Transportation Business of the Year, Soufriere Hotwire Rides, Inc. won Sites and Adventure Business of the Year, and Southern Taxi Association was named Transport Company of the Year. Independent sector honors went to Awesome Caribbean Weddings (Wedding and Events Planner of the Year), Spinnakers Beach Bar and Grill (Independent Restaurant of the Year), and Barefoot Holidays St. Lucia (Destination Management Company). Special organizational awards went to Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (Community-Based Tourism), Ladera Resort (Sustainable Tourism), National Skills Development Centre (Tourism Education and Training), Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences (Tourism Social Impact), and LUNAA Journeys (Tourism Innovation).
The 2025/26 GIMIES Awards were supported by a broad coalition of public and private sector partners, including presenting partners the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Investments, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association and the Tourism Enhancement Fund. Additional funding and support came from ultra premium, premium, supporting, and in-kind industry partners across the island. Those who missed the live ceremony can rewatch the full event on NTN via YouTube, and find more information about the awards program through the official GIMIES website, social media channels, and official email contact.