Tourism industry mourns Richard Williams

Barbados and the Caribbean have lost another stalwart in the hotel and tourism industry with the passing of the former General Manager of the Sandy Lane Hotel and former President of the Barbados Hotel Association (now Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association), Richard Williams.

Williams was highly respected for his work in the luxury hotel industry with a focus on independent properties across the Caribbean region. Among his accomplishments, “He led the team in executing the US$500 million planning and redesign of the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados.

“In 2004, he successfully led the tourism bid for Barbados to host the finals of the Cricket World Cup in 2007 following which, he was appointed to the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) [now Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.] with responsibility for the Americas in New York where he re-positioned the destination and orchestrated an additional 70,000 air seats per year from the US market.”

He received his education at the UWI Cave Hill Campus and Cornell University in New York and had a long affiliation with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) based in Miami.

He won that organisation’s prestigious Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award and in recognition of his commitment to tourism, he was awarded the Silver Crown of Merit by the Barbados Government. He was also recognised as “One of the Top 25 Marketing Minds” in the Americas by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association remembered Williams as a  “’Tourism practitioner extraordinaire’, whose energetic and high-spirited personality inspired many who met him.

He was truly an international tourism icon whose passion and commitment to the global tourism industry was evidenced by his numerous contributions whether locally, regionally, or internationally.

“While Richard’s affection and love for tourism was evident and undeniable, the warmth, friendliness and hospitable nature of this gentleman conveyed his respect, professionalism, and humanity. He readily offered advice and would also volunteer to assist with activities.

He was not simply prepared to talk but was willing to actively get involved in the work which needed to be undertaken. We will miss Richard, his effervescent personality, his infectious smile and his wit, which provided laughter on numerous occasions.”

Meanwhile, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Nicola Madden-Greig, lauded his volunteer service to CHTA during which he contributed to the shape and design of Caribbean Marketplace, the Caribbean Gold Book and CHARMS (Caribbean Hotel Association Reservation Management Service).

“Richard had a tremendous influence on many seasoned as well as new players in the industry. He will always be remembered for his ability to seamlessly and selflessly share his insights and knowledge with others,” the Jamaican hotelier remarked.

Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General of CHTA, added that Williams was a distinguished champion of ensuring the region’s major economic driver was also a responsible steward of the Caribbean environment: “He was a devoted proponent of responsible tourism and headed CAST (Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism), an initiative of CHTA which provides tourism enterprises with sustainability resources, best practices and provides support for the advocacy of sustainable advances within the hotel and tourism sector of the Caribbean.

“Richard was a tireless advocate of the work of CHTA and Caribbean tourism. He always made himself available to support the important mandate of our organisaation. His insight and intelligence will be sorely missed,” Ledesma reflected. (DH/PR)