Hotels, restaurants and other tourism service providers will be vying for 13 awards on Saturday, June 12 when The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s President’s Awards Gala takes place at The Concorde Experience, Ch. Ch. at 6:30 p.m.

The event, the second to be staged by the BHTA, is planned for the end of each president’s two-year tenure to recognise “exceptional levels of excellence within the industry,” accordng to the organisation.

This year’s sponsors are British Airways, CGM, Barbados National Bank, Deloitte, Duty Free Caribbean, Banks Holdings, Mount Gay Distilleries and Medford Mahogany.

Award categories and finalists are as follows:

• Hotel of the Year (Luxury): Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Little Arches Hotel and Treasure Beach Hotel.

• ‘A’ Class: Crane Beach Resort & Residences, Accra Beach Hotel & Spa and Mango Bay Hotel.

• ‘B’ Class and Apartments: Dover Beach Hotel, All Seasons Resort–Europa and Worthing Court Apartment Hotel.

• Restaurant of the Year: Mangos by the Sea, Champers, and Zen.

• Tourism Services Members: Island Safari Barbados, Horizon Helicopters and Atlantis Submarines.

Supporting Services Member Award: Totally Barbados, Mount Gay Distilleries and Dowman Designs (Florida).

• Outstanding Employee  Award: Mary Blanche-Jordan (Accra Beach Hotel), Maradona Scantlebury (Turtle Beach Resort) and Stephen Jackman (Crystal Cove Hotel).

• Green Initiative Award (new for 2010): Atlantis Submarines, Divi Southwinds and Island Villas Ltd.

Outgoing president of the BHTA, Wayne Capaldi said the latter award, along with the also-new Product Club award, reflected the association’s commitment to reward new areas of excellence in the industry.

Other awards to be presented include the President’s Lifetime Achievement, Strategic Partner Appreciation, Positive Media and Special Commendation awards.