We would like to congratulate our friend and colleague Richard Doumeng on being chosen as the 2009 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year!
"We couldn't be more proud of our son and his wife for continuing and expanding what we had started more than 30 years ago," states Joyce and Dick Doumeng. "Richard has a knack for innovative public relations and marketing tactics, but more importantly he has a way of making all guests feel like they're at home. His unwavering commitment to the community, students of hospitality, and his employees are evident by all who visit Bolongo," adds Dick Doumeng.
The Hotelier of the Year award recognizes excellence in Caribbean hotel operations by demonstrating superior achievement in: Operations, Food & Beverage, Marketing and Sales, Maintenance, Staff Training and Motivation, Innovative Management, Environmental Practices, Community Affairs, and participation within the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
Doumeng is the fourth hotelier from the Virgin Islands to earn the title of Caribbean Hotelier of the Year. Past recipients include Lorette Resch, owner of Island Beachcomber, in 1984; Dick and Joyce Doumeng, owners of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, in1988; and Betty Sperber, general manager of the King Christian Hotel and a past president of the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association, in 1993.
Doumeng is currently serving as first Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and is the current chairman of the US Virgin Island Hotel and Tourism Association.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is an independently owned and operated family resort, which has been welcoming guests for 35 years to beautiful St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The resort is an island hot spot and Sherman's Travel Magazine just included Bolongo Bay Beach Resort as part of their Top Ten List of "Best All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean". Visit www.bolongobay.com or call 1- 800 524 4746 to learn more.
