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.
GENERAL INDUSTRY AWARDS
Transportation
Human Resources Development
Sports, Leisure & Events
Creative Arts
Handicraft
Sustainable Tourism
The Clement T. Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award
The Minister's Award for Hospitality
BAHAMAS HOTEL ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Hotelier Of The Year
Manager Of The Year
Supervisor Of The Year
Sales Executive Of The Year
Employee Of The Year
Chef Of The Year
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Cruise Line Of The Year
Airline Of The Year
Tour Operator Of The Year
Travel Writer Of The Year
PEOPLE'S CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS
(Secular Category)
(Gospel Category)
Nomination Criteria
- Nominees must be residents of The Bahamas whose product or performance has a positive impact on the development of The Bahamas tourist product.
- Nominees must be consistent high performers.
- All submissions must have a minimum of one full page of information. (A maximum of two pages will be accepted).
- Submit a STUDIO COLOUR head and shoulder PHOTOGRAPH with nomination form.
- When nominating Artists, Photographers, Writers etc. samples of the nominee's work must be submitted for consideration (color photographs of samples will be accepted if originals are not available at the time).
- Employees of the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies are not eligible for nomination.
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
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: (1) 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. OR (2) An individual, organization or group that 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.
PROCEDURES
Nomination forms for the onshore awards are available On-line at caciqueawards.com and tourismtoday.com and througout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas at Ministry of Tourism and Island Administrators' offices to ensure that Cacique Awards are as representative as possible of the wishes of the entire population. This and all other aspects of the organization of the awards ceremony are under the direction of the Working Committee.
Nominations are collated by a Selection Committee, who reduces the number by identifying the top four to five nominees in each category for submission to the Blue Ribbon Panel.
The Blue Ribbon Panel selects winners in general nomination categories and ratifies all winners. At a gala ceremony shortly thereafter, winners are announced and the Cacique Awards are presented.
The Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) selects hotel industry winners, based on a review of the nominees by panels of judges appointed by the BHA.
The General Public selects winners in the People's Choice Music Awards category by casting votes for their favorite artists in either or both the Secular or Gospecl categories. List of artists is selected and submitted by Radio Stations based on the popular demand of the song by radio audience.
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