FORT LAUDERDALE – Sanovnik Destang, a respected hotelier from St. Lucia and Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, has been elected as the new President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). His position was officially announced during CHTA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, taking over from departing President Nicola Madden-Greig. Destang will hold a two-year role, working with a newly elected team of executives.
Destang brings extensive leadership and hospitality experience to his new role, having served as a key figure in the growth of Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia. His commitment to CHTA began in 2012, and he is ready to lead the organization into a new chapter, focusing on people and technology as well as creating stronger linkages with other sectors of the Caribbean economy.
Sanovnik Destang
Destang expressed gratitude to his predecessors and emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership: “Thank you all once again for putting your faith in me and my generation. Being CHTA’s first president born in the 1980s, I fully understand the responsibility ahead of me. I’m ready to lead, but, more importantly, I’m ready to serve. My focus areas will be people, technology and linkages to other sectors of our economies and communities. This strengthened advocacy is aimed at attracting more members to our association, bolstering our collective voice and impact.”
Nicola Madden-Greig’s Achievements
Reflecting on her tenure, Madden-Greig highlighted CHTA’s achievements during a challenging period. She praised the resilience of the Caribbean region as it emerged as the fastest-recovering tourism market in the world post-COVID-19. Under her leadership, CHTA along with regional and international stakeholders helped implement and promote recovery measures and initiatives, including Caribbean entry portals and the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism program.
Nicola Madden-Greig
“The past three years, taking over at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, were both challenging and very rewarding,” said Madden-Greig. “Nothing has given me more joy than having headed the hard-working team that led the Caribbean to be the fastest recovering region in the world, coming out of a once-in-a-century pandemic,” she added.
Newly Elected Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Officers
The newly elected CHTA Officers will work closely with Destang over the next two years, along with CHTA Regional VPs, Committee Chairs, and other Executive Committee Members, who will be announced shortly.
5th Vice President: Bill Clegg, BW Hotels, At-Large
Treasurer: Jim Hepple, Tourism Analytics, Aruba
CHTA, as the voice of Caribbean hospitality and tourism, will build on the strong foundation laid by Madden-Greig. Destang’s leadership will drive growth through new ideas, people-focused programs, and better connections with important sectors. This will keep the Caribbean leading in global tourism.
With help from regional leaders, Destang will lead new initiatives. These efforts will boost the industry and help Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association members succeed.
