David Dodwell, the owner of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis, has been named the 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year for outstanding work within the hospitality industry, including his commitment to environment causes.

The hospitality veteran accepted the award at the 2011 Caribbean Marketplace in Jamaica from the Hon. Richard Skerritt, Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chairman, and St. Kitts & Nevis’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport.

Minister Skerritt said: “I can think of no one who has earned this recognition more than (Dodwell) has. He has made a tremendous difference in the hotel sector on St. Kitts and Nevis, and has contributed significantly across the region and in tourism everywhere,”

Dodwell, who has more than four decades of hospitality career experience, was honoured by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association for excellence in the areas of hotel operations, food and beverage, marketing, property maintenance, staff training and motivation as well as his commitment to the environment and the St. Kitts and Nevis community.

He becomes the 33rd recipient of the distinguished golden conch shell and joins an elite list of the most accomplished hotel leaders in the Caribbean.

Dodwell bought the 36-room Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in 1989. The resort is the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn located on the beach.

Under his leadership, Nisbet Plantation has gained enormous popularity and plays a key role in the island’s hospitality sector.

“David has been extremely proactive in his support and development of the people of Nevis. He is a big believer in investing in his team,” said Jamie Holmes, general manager of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club.

His standout efforts have also included cross-training the Nisbet Plantation staff at The Reefs in Bermuda, involving the team in decision-making and promoting the local economy by employing Nevisians, utilizing local produce and seafood, and adopting a local primary school.