Business View Caribbean | October 2019

36 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN OCTOBER 2019 and I’m still a Director. I’m also Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association. I’d like to give Kerry Fountain, Exec VP of Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board a shout-out. He is a real mover and shaker - indefatigable. He’s been instrumental in making all the new marketing trends and ideas available to member properties, of which we take full advantage. I don’t know that we would be as successful as we are without the BOIHPB.” BVC: Are green initiatives a priority? Spychalla: “The Bahamas has outlawed single use plastics – bags, straws, knives and forks, and take- out containers. That ban takes effect in January 2020 and we’re well ahead of it. We’ve already sourced replacement products for those items, to include coffee cups. They are not on the prohibited list, but we have take-out coffee cups available for purchase that are made of compostable materials. We are committed to this. I think it’s an absolute necessity that, certainly, the Caribbean Islands and tourism destinations that are on water must take heed. We can’t have that stuff going into the ocean.” BVC: What is Valentines’ vision for the future? Spychalla: “We’re on a path of continuous improvement. That will never stop. When we reach a bar, we raise it. The plan is to roll up our shirt sleeves and keep moving forward. In the last two years, we’ve created a magical boardwalk down to the beach and a beautiful, private beachfront area is being developed as part of our resort. A lot of people don’t realize that, yes, we’re on the harbor but only a short, five-minute walk away and you’re on the fabulous pink sand beach.” PREFERRED VENDOR n Bristol Wines & Spirits www.bristol.bs