Anthony Bowen, managing director of the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort and Spa,  St. Lucia, was presented with the 2006 Golden Conch Award as he was named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year. 
The prestigious award recognizes superior hotel management, as well as the ability to nurture the intricate elements that lay the foundation of success, not only for a specific property, but the Caribbean hospitality industry at large. Each year’s winner of the Golden Conch award adds to the high standards for which the award has become renowned.  The annual tribute is sponsored by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell and American Express.
A native of Barbados, Anthony Bowen began his whirlwind career as Food & Beverage Manager, then Assistant General Manager, of the Southern Palms Hotel, Barbados. His next position was a partner in the Silver Sands Beach Hotel - and from there, it was on to the Sandy Lane Hotel, as Food and Beverage Manager and later Director of Operations for Pemberton Resorts. 1986 found our winner as a Shareholder in the Treasure Beach Hotel.
In 1989, he relocated to Jamaica, having been appointed Vice president of Development for Ciboney Villa Resorts, Jamaica; then on to St. Lucia as General Manager of the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort.  Never standing still too long, Bowen ventured to Antigua to manage the
Pinapple Beach Resorts and was later hired to develop and open the Carlisle Bay Resort in Antigua.
He returned to St. Lucia and the Windjammer Landing Resort as the managing director. He moved swiftly to set about changing the sales and marketing strategy of this luxurious 238 room villa-hotel resort. This resulted in increased revenue for the Resort - a growth that has been consistent over the last three years.
As chief Executive officer he also introduced a new management style that gave more responsibility to the employees. Now, solutions to problems are broad-based, and employees feel a greater sense of achievement and pride in their workplace. On two separate occasions, he led his staff repairing the road leading to the hotel, when requests to government were unsuccessful. 
He encourages participation in the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competitions, and his staff supports the Tourist Board at various overseas functions.  Almost all Windjammer staff are St. Lucians, who are highly trained and motivated.  In addition, he instituted a company-wide Windjammer health plan for all employees.
More recently, he established an Environmental Committee within the Resort with plans to become Green Globe certified.
Under Bowen’s management, the Windjammer Landing was voted the Best Caribbean Villa Resort by Caribbean World and also received a Silver Award from Virgin Holidays for the best hotel in the Caribbean. 
In 1995, Mr. Anthony Bowen was voted by his peers as “St. Lucian Hotelier of the Year,” and rewarded for his outstanding contribution to the industry in general and the Association in particular.
Beyond his successful career as hotelier, Anthony Bowen has just completed two and half years as president of the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association. Previously, he was president of the association during 1996-1997. He has also found time to represent the association on The St. Lucia Tourist Board, The Government appointed Tourist Advisory Council, The Cricket World Cup Accommodation Committee, and the
Caribbean Hotel Association. At one time, he was Chairman of CHA’s Small Hotels Committee and is a longstanding member of CHA’s Board of Directors. He is currently Treasurer of the Caribbean Hotel Foundation, and has raised funds for the Foundation with a very successful golf tournament at Cap Estate in St. Lucia.
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