The third installment of the Saint Lucia Tourism Awards, popularly known as the GIMIES, unfolded in grand style on April 12, 2025, reaffirming its status as the premier recognition platform for excellence in the tourism industry. Named after Mount Gimie, the nation’s highest peak, the awards aim to celebrate innovation, quality, sustainability, and service across all tiers of the tourism sector.
This year, the Community Tourism Agency (CTA) saw its clients represented among the nominees, marking a significant milestone for the newly established agency. CEO Dahlia Guard expressed her pride and optimism in the program.
“For us, our most important asset is the people. To be recognizing and awarding employees and businesses is an awesome thing,” said Guard. “Seeing some of our clients nominated tonight is a win for us. Community tourism is ready, and we are here to create experiences that align with initiatives like the GIMIES.”
Guard emphasized that the GIMIES serve as a benchmark for the entire industry, providing a clear standard for what best practices look like.
“It’s the standard,” she noted. “Any up-and-coming business should want to be part of the GIMIES. It’s how we determine which businesses are operating at the highest level.”
CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Louis Lewis, also praised the awards for spotlighting those who often work behind the scenes. “It’s not just about the winners. The nominees themselves deserve immense recognition for their contributions to our tourism product,” Lewis stated. “This is what makes Saint Lucia the destination that it is.”
The 2025 GIMIES honored a wide cross-section of tourism professionals, from small property owners to frontline service providers. The event underscored a growing recognition that excellence in tourism is a collective effort requiring input from all corners of the island.
