amjamin

In full bloom , originally uploaded by AmitabhS .

Nature in a riot of colours , originally uploaded by AmitabhS .

Everton Richard’s journey in the hospitality industry began as a pool attendant and waiter at Fern Hill Club, Portland. “I worked there for three years, my job was to clean the swimming pool and since I was living in the compound, I used to double up as a waiter.” Richards moved to Kingston and later joined Hilton Kingston, in 2001 as a security officer. His experience in Fern Hill came handy here, when a vacancy for Bellman arose in 2003; he applied for the position immediately. He likes his job and looks forward to meeting new guests every day. “As bellman my job entails assisting the guests with check in, taking them to their rooms and introducing them to the hotel,” Richards explained. A Seventh Day Adventist by faith, Richards was born and brought up at Ft. George, St. Mary near Annotto Bay. “I went to St. Mary Technical High School where I learnt the skill of Electrical Installation,” he tells Hospitality Jamaica. “It was a very nice, but a very small community, so I h...

Amitabh Sharma, Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer A call to the Hilton Kingston hotel gives you a fair chance of being greeted by the pleasant voice of Patrick Lewis. "I love to be the first point of contact, it comes naturally," declared Lewis, telecommunications agent at the hotel. He said that he views this position with pride and takes it seriously. "There is no room for complacency," he said, "Guests can smell service from a zillion miles." Lewis, who joined Hilton Kingston in December 2005, displays the same zeal and professionalism five years down the line. He attributes this attitude to the high standards that were expected of him by his parents when he was growing up. "My parents were instrumental in instilling values of honesty, integrity and best practices, which help me till today," the 37-year-old Lewis recalled. He grew up in Portmore, St Catherine, where he attended Independence City All-Age and then went to Kingston Techni...

Published April 14, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica Moot activity-based marketing to boost room occupancy Amitabh Sharma, Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer The top hotels in Kingston have reported a lukewarm response to the winter tourist season, which concludes tomorrow, as a result of global economic recession and subsequent reduction in business travel. At the same time, events like the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships got the cash registers ringing, which could hold the key for driving visitors to the city. "Overall, we saw a reduction in occupancy for the Kingston area, except for probably the month of March," Nicola Madden-Greig, chairman, Kingston chapter of the Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and group director of marketing and sales, The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites told Hospitality Jamaica.  "This was bolstered by a series of groups that affected citywide occupancy, including the Boys & Girls' Championships." UPSWING...