John McMahon, executive vice president and group publisher of the Questex Hospitality + Travel Group, paid a visit to Grace Bay Resorts in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos in December.
The host of the gathering was Nikheel Advani, COO and principal of Grace Bay Resorts, who brought together a group of some of the most talented tourism executives in the destination for the afternoon.
Included were the Hon Premier, Rufus Ewing; Michel Neutlings, president of the Turks & Caicos Hotel Tourism Association and Dr. Carlton Mills, the manager for Talent Growth and Local Affairs at Grace Bay Resorts, which has adopted five local schools which it assists with donations and scholarships.
While enjoying a beautiful setting at Jars on Grace Bay Beach (the dining venue provides food and wine pairings at a 30-foot-long communal table), the group discussed the future of luxury travel and how it will impact the industry as a whole, as well as specifically what’s happening on Turks & Caicos.
The incoming Chinese luxury market, hotel development on Turks & Caicos (as well as a hospitality school on the island) culinary advances in the Caribbean and on Turks & Caicos specifically, were some of the other hot items for discussion.
After sampling Jars, the group paid a visit to the Grace Bay Club’s top suite where they were treated to lunch on the verandah. We hear the lobster fettuccine was to die for.