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Published:Sunday | June 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Caribbean Tourism Organization 2011 Lifetime Achievemnet recipient, Grenadian hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin (centre), and his family (from left): daughters Janelle and Nerissa, wife Betty and son Ryan.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and wife Carmen on the dance floor.
Trinidadian Karen Hunter sure looks fabulous - Photos by Janet Silvera
Secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Hugh Riley and minister of tourism of St. Maarten, Ida Zin-Ka-ieu.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, is sandwiched by the Jamaica Tourist Board's Donnie Dawson (left) and Tony King.
From left: Dr. kerry Hall, director of marketing, Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA); Averil Beyer, director of Tourism, BTA: and executive vice-president of Ruder Finn, Gail Moaney.
From the British Virgin Islands, from left: Perla George, Lynette Harrigan and Hadassah Ward enjoying every moment of the event.
From left: American Foundation for the University of the West Indies' Ann-Marie Grant; permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith; Director General of Tourism Carrole Guntley and Air Jamaica's Ann-Marie Francis enjoying every moment of the event.
Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts, Richard 'Ricky' Skerritt, and his daughter Andrea of M. Booth Public Relations Agency.
The soca train was excitingly long at the Caribbean Tourism Organization's Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball and Awards presentation.- Photos by Janet Silvera
Trinidad and Tobago's Coral King.
US Virgin Islanders Sambala Boyd and Dr. Anissa Moody.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Grenada's Sir Royston Hopkin collected the prestigious Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) Lifetime Achievement Award; 'Today Show's' Jenna Wolfe declared her love for Jamaica and the Jamaica Tourist Board's Dianne Willis danced up a storm.

Dubbed 'An Evening of Elegance', the inaugural Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball brought a dazzling end to Caribbean Week in New York 2011 on Friday June 10.

Hosted by the CTO, the black-tie affair saw some 400 party people in attendance, including Prime Ministers Denzil Douglas of St Kitts and Nevis and Tillman Thomas of Grenada.

Ultimate honour

But the allure, energy and anticipation of the evening were efficiently captured when Sir Royston O. Hopkin, owner and chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort received the ultimate honour from the Caribbean governments.

Sir Royston is the first hotelier and Grenadian to receive this accolade from the governments which follows his being knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"It is a true honour to be recognised by the Caribbean governments and the ministers and directors of tourism with the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award," said Sir Royston, who used his acceptance speech to appeal to Caribbean prime ministers, tourism ministers and other government officials to commit to a policy-driven strategic approach to a consolidated regional marketing programme for the region.

The CTO Lifetime Achievement Award honours long-serving, high-performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference in the Caribbean. The award is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution.

"Sir Royston has been a faithful servant of Grenadian and Caribbean tourism and his dedication has been fully demonstrated through his many outstanding achievements," said Hugh Riley, CTO's secretary general.

Sir Royston joins a list of prominent figures to receive the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award, including Harry Belafonte; Sir Sidney Poitier; Cicely Tyson; New York Congressman Charles Rangel; American Airlines Senior Vice-President Peter Dolara; former Barbados Tourism Minister Dame Billie Miller; the former West Indies cricketer Wes Hall; the University of the West Indies' Professor Rex Nettleford; founder of Black Enterprise magazine, Earl Gilbert Graves Sr; the organisation's first Secretary General Jean Holder; and last year's winner Dame Yvonne Maginley.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com