After decades of service in Grenada’s hospitality industry, Sir Royston Hopkin was honored with the Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the inaugural Minister’s Tourism Awards last month. TravelPulse reports that he was presented with the award by Clarice Modeste-Curwen, the country’s minister of tourism and civil aviation and the ceremony was held on Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort, which Hopkin is owner and chairman of.
Earlier this year Hopkin received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit (CHIRS) in Miami, which recognized his contributions to the tourism industry in Grenada as well as the luxury services he provides at the Spice Island Beach Resort.
Hopkin began his tourism career when he joined his family business, the Ross Point Inn, in 1965. By age 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism, where he served 18 consecutive years. By age 24, Hopkin became the first Grenadian elected president of the Grenada Hotel Association, a position he held 14 different times.
By 1987, he had purchased a majority interest in the Spice Island Inn and became the owner and chairman of the property, which he renamed Spice Island Beach Resort. Under his direction, the property expanded from 28 to 66 suites as part of a $6 million renovation Hopkin undertook in 2000.
Hopkin has held numerous positions within the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), even serving on the board of directors. He has received the organization’s “Hotelier of the Year” award as well as Lifetime Achievement awards from CHTA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
In December 2004, Hopkin earned the introduction “Sir” when Queen Elizabeth II deemed him Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) for his contributions to the tourism industry throughout the Caribbean.
“It is a true honor to be recognized with the Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award,” said Hopkin. “As I accept this prestigious recognition, I reflect on how far we’ve come and the continued growth we are realizing today.”
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