Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association president Sanovnik Destang will be recognized with the AAHOA/NABHOOD Outstanding Hotelier Award, marking the first time a Caribbean hotel executive will receive the honor.

The award—jointly presented by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers—recognizes hoteliers who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation and a commitment to creating opportunities within the hospitality industry.

The award will be presented during the Hilton Awards Luncheon on Thursday, July 23, as part of the 29th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show, held at the Hyatt Regency Miami, Fla.

“Thank you all once again for putting your faith in me and my generation,” Destang said in a statement. “Being CHTA’s first president born in the 1980s, I fully understand the responsibility ahead of me. I’m ready to lead, but more importantly, I’m ready to serve. My focus areas will be people, technology and building stronger connections across our economies and communities.”

In addition to being appointed as CHTA president in 2024, Destang is the executive director & shareholder of Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia. A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, Destang has been a driving force behind the growth and success of Bay Gardens Resorts, helping to transform it into one of the premier hospitality brands in the Caribbean, according to the company.

His commitment to the Caribbean hospitality landscape began in 2012, and in his new role, he is focusing on empowering people, embracing technology and strengthening linkages with other sectors of the economy, according to the association. The Bay Gardens Resort first opened its doors in 1995 by his mother, Joyce Destang, at the start of the tourism boom for Saint Lucia. The company has expanded to include four hotel destinations with a fifth under construction and scheduled to open Winter 2026.