Winsia West, Food & Beverage Supervisor, at Blue Waters Resort & Spa, has been
selected to represent Antigua and Barbuda in the prestigious Caribbean Hotel and
Tourism Association (CHTA) Young Leaders Forum (YLF), Class of 2026.
Winsia joins an elite group of 27 candidates from across the Caribbean, including
representatives from Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, The Bahamas, and
Turks and Caicos.
In a statement, the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association said the
selection committee, comprised of esteemed industry professionals such as
Sanovnik Destang, CHTA’s President-Elect and Executive Director of Bay
Gardens Resorts; Paul Collymore, CEO of The Landings Resort and Spa; Laudra
Maurille-Willie, Assistant Human Resource Manager at The Landings Resort and
Spa; Anice O’Neil, Commercial Director at Bay Gardens Resorts; and Vanessa
Ledesma, CHTA’s Acting CEO and Director General, rigorously evaluated each
candidate to ensure the highest standards of excellence.
When notified of her selection, Winsia West expressed her gratitude and pride: “I
am greatly honoured. I was not really expecting this, but the honest truth is that I
am honoured. I am grateful and proud. The only Antiguan – that’s a big thing. And
I will say that without my team and the great leaders here who I look up to, I know
I will be able to do this. It is an honour.”
The YLF programme aims to equip emerging leaders with the skills and
knowledge to excel in the rapidly evolving hospitality and tourism industry. The
curriculum covers key areas including Emotional Intelligence, Leading a Merging
Workforce, Employee Experience Enhancement, Hospitality Forward (integrating
technology within the industry), AI and Leadership, Process Optimization and
Digitization, and strategies for developing team proficiency in digital tools and
technologies.
A structured mentorship programme pairs participants with iconic industry leaders,
providing invaluable insights, guidance, and support. This initiative fosters a
culture of continuous learning and development, preparing young leaders for the
dynamic nature of the hospitality industry.
