Cacique Awards Objective

The purpose of the Cacique Awards is to recognise the roles played by those individuals and organizations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and the growth of tourism in The Bahamas. The Cacique Awards have an illustrious foundation in the National Tourism Achievement Awards and the Bahamas Hotel Association Awards.

History of Cacique

The name "Cacique" was chosen for the new tourism leadership awards to honour the Lucayans, the first Bahamians, and to keep them in memory, even though their physical presence was lost to us so many years ago.  The leader of a Lucayan community was called the "Cacique".  As the supreme figure of authority, he would administer justice, reslove disputes, issue decrees, receive visitors in much the same way as a leader in our sphere would do today.  The use of the name "Cacique" also pays tribute to the generosity of the original inhabitants of The Bahamas, who greeted the first European visitors with great warmth.  It shows that the tradition of hospitality is being perpetuated.

Duho

The choice of the Duho as the main element in the composition of the Cacique Awards' trophies is also of historical and symbolic significance.  A Lucayan Cacique would hold official meetings and perform ceremonial functions, while seated on the intricately carved stool or Duho, the symbol of authority.  The Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) contribued the design of the Duho to the Cacique Awards when their hotel industry awards were incorporated into the national tourism honours programme in 1995. 

Categories:

Over the years names of and numbers of categories have been revised.  Presently, there are 19 Cacique Awards categories, 15 of which are on-shore awards to be given to local industry leaders.  Eight (8) of the awards in this category are open to nominations by the general public.  Six (6) are the Bahamas Hotel Association Awards, and the remaining one (1) is a popularity award selected by votes from the general public.  The final four (4) Caciques are given to outstanding tourism partners abroad.  These are nominated by the Promotion Boards and the Ministry of Torusim and its offshore agencies.