The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced that its president and Executive Director and shareholder of Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia, Sanovnik Destang, will be honoured with the prestigious AAHOA/NABHOOD Outstanding Hotelier Award. It is the first time a Caribbean hotelier will receive the award.
This distinguished honour, jointly presented by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), recognises hoteliers who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation, and a commitment to creating opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Recipients demonstrate vision, dedication, and the ability to elevate hotel performance and community impact. The award will be presented during the Hilton Awards Luncheon on July 23, as part of the 29th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show, held at the Hyatt Regency Miami, Florida.
Destang, a chartered accountant and chartered financial analyst, has been a driving force behind the growth and success of Bay Gardens Resorts, helping to transform it into one of the premier hospitality brands in the Caribbean.
His leadership and forward-thinking approach were further affirmed through his appointment as CHTA President in 2024, where he continues to advocate for regional cooperation and innovation across the tourism sector.
Destang;s commitment to the Caribbean hospitality landscape began in 2012, and in his new role, he is focusing on empowering people, embracing technology, and strengthening linkages with other sectors of the economy. The Bay Gardens Resort first opened its doors in 1995 by his mother, Joyce Destang, O.B.E., at the start of the tourism boom for Saint Lucia. Today, the company has expanded to include four unique hotel destinations with a fifth under construction and scheduled to open Winter 2026. At the head of the family business is Sanovnik, the second-generation hotelier.
“Thank you all once again for putting your faith in me and my generation,” said Destang. “Being CHTA’s first president born in the 1980s, I fully understand the responsibility ahead of me. I’m ready to lead, but more importantly, I’m ready to serve. My focus areas will be people, technology, and building stronger connections across our economies and communities.”
