Bermuda Hotel Association's executive director has won a top award from the Caribbean Hotel Association. John Harvey was named 2003 Association Executive of the Year in the large hotel association category.

Mr. Harvey was understood to have been completely taken by surprise by the award, which was given on June 25 during the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Last night, Mr. Harvey said that he was delighted and humbled to receive the award.

"I share this with Dee Smith, my office manager, because what I have achieved we have achieved together," said Mr. Harvey. Bermuda Hotel Association chairman Billy Griffith said: "This award is very well deserved. John has put in a significant part of his life's work in to the BHA and has done a tremendous job, not just of running the organisation, but has also done some sterling work between the hoteliers and the Bermuda Industrial Union.

"His strong points over the years have been his calmness, his humour, and his ability to come up with the very best solution..."

The Caribbean Hotel Association said Mr. Harvey - who is also chief executive officer of the Hotel Employers of Bermuda - had been a key player in negotiations with the BIU. "He was also a key player, along with the BIU, in persuading the Bermuda government not to tax gratuities of hotel employees," said the CHA.

It praised him for helping him develop the Visitor Industry Partnership. The CHA gave the award for a hotel association of less than 2,000 rooms to Caesar Campbell of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Authority.