Tourism: The Future of Caribbean Hospitality
During the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), held from September 2 to 6 at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands, Janelle Hopkin, owner of a luxury boutique hotel in Grenada, shared her vision for elevating Caribbean hospitality and offering unforgettable guest experiences.
Janelle Hopkin, President and General Manager of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, was invited to speak from an operator’s perspective on how to navigate the evolving tourism landscape. Her strategic plan outlines methods to create immersive and personalized travel experiences for future travelers.
Janelle Hopkin
Drawing inspiration from the conference theme, Hopkin metaphorically compared the guest experience to blood that carries vital elements for a healthy body. Just as blood transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste to and from cells, the guest experience delivers all the essential components of a perfect stay, sustaining the life of the Caribbean tourism industry. Similarly, she compared the heart’s role as the “pump or engine” that facilitates the transport of oxygen and nutrients to staff, stating that “people are the heart of hospitality,” indicating that human resources are the first pillar of her model.
Hopkin also emphasized that hospitality and tourism are fast-paced industries, and to remain competitive, investing in “people” is essential. Staff training and skill development are crucial for long-term success, and by equipping team members with the knowledge, tools, and techniques they need, while keeping them updated on industry trends and best practices, it’s possible to increase productivity and consistently deliver high-quality service that enhances customer experience, satisfaction, and business growth.
Referring to her experiences as a hotelier, she outlined the model that has led her resort to become one of the top all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean, offering highly personalized, unique, memorable, and distinctive stays influenced by local culture.
Traditions
Fountainbleu-Falls
Hopkin also identified technology as the “fuel” of the industry, highlighting that the flexibility of new technologies and infrastructures allows operators to rethink how to leverage technology to innovate, provide new offerings, and meet guest needs. Technology is also essential for better managing operations, maximizing overall performance, improving sales and marketing strategies, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs.
As a third-generation hotelier, Janelle Hopkin brought youthful energy to the conference and optimism for the future of the industry, emphasizing that if tourism is indeed considered the “lifeblood of the Caribbean,” it is crucial that more young hoteliers like her understand the new requirements to ensure the region is ready to meet the needs of increasingly demanding future travelers.
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