Two women whose combined years of service in tourism amounted to over 66 years, were presented with Women in Tourism Awards, 2025, at the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association Gala and Awards ceremony held at Sandals Grande Resort on Saturday night.
The women singled out for the awards were, Annette Michael of the Ministry of Tourism and Cleo Henry whose has served in multiple capacities within the tourism and hospitality industry.
For Annette Michael, she started her career in the Tourism Industry in 1992. She was employed as a Tour Guide/Tourism Field Officer in the Department of Tourism where she was mentored by two internationally and regionally acclaimed female giants in tourism, the late Dame Yvonne Maginley and the late Dame Edie Hill Thibou. Much of her knowledge of the industry came from the tutelage she received from these two tourism icons.
“In 1995 she was promoted to the position of Public Relations Officer for the Department/Ministry of Tourism. In 2004 the Department of Tourism was absorbed by the Ministry of Tourism and Annette Michael joined the Marketing & Promotions Department. In 2009 she once again switched gears and was elevated to the position of Hospitality Management Officer heading the Tourism Ancillary Services Unit where Crisis Management has been her main focus,” Samoya Kirby PRO in the Ministry of Tourism revealed.
This year, Michael celebrates 33 years in the tourism industry. She has had the rare privilege of serving with eight (8) different Ministers of Tourism for whom she served with distinction and pride. She attibutes her successes in the industry to her embodiment of the motto ‘Country First’.
While Annette Michael’s contributions have largely been in the public sector, for Cleo Henry her contributions have been within the private sector. Her journey began at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Institute right after she left secondary school. Thus began a career that spans over thirty-three years. Born and raised in Bolans, she was shaped by her parents: her mother, educator Rosalind “Teacher Babyrose” Henry, and her father, Enoch “John” Henry, an acclaimed chauffeur, whose professionalism inspired her early appreciation for service excellence. Guided by their example, she developed expertise in hotel operations, culinary arts, business administration, tour guiding, and training.
“Mentored by industry leader Muriel Omarde, Ms. Henry went on to train hundreds across the Caribbean in Food and Beverage Supervision, Cost Control, Purchasing, Tour Planning, Guiding, and Quality Customer Care. Her roles with the National Research and Development Foundation of Saint Lucia, the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, and the United States Peace Corps broadened her regional and international impact, supporting youth development, industry readiness, and community advancement,” Kirby stated.
Both Michael and Henry were honoured for making significant contributions, showing dedication, leadership, and excellence in every aspect of their work.
They were presented with special recognitions from the Ministry of Tourism.
