Former Tourism Minister and owner of The Reefs, David Dodwell, has been named the 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year – the highest professional honour given by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.Mr Dodwell, who has more than four decades of hospitality career experience, was honored by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association for excellence in the areas of hotel operations, food and beverage, marketing, property maintenance, staff training and motivation as well as his commitment to the environment and the St. Kitts and Nevis community, where he runs the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club.He becomes the 33rd recipient of the distinguished golden conch shell and joins an elite list of the most accomplished hotel leaders in the Caribbean.“I can think of no one who has earned this recognition more than (Dodwell) has,” said Senator Richard ‘Ricky' Skerritt, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and St. Kitts and Nevis' Minister of Tourism and International Transport. “He has made a tremendous difference in the hotel sector on St. Kitts and Nevis, and has contributed significantly across the region and in tourism everywhere.”Jamie Holmes, General Manager of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, said: “David has been extremely proactive in his support and development of the people of Nevis. He is a big believer in investing in his team.”