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FILE - Former West Indian fast bowler Rev Wesley Hall (second right) displays the Lifetime Achievement Award trophy that he received from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation at the Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, in 2007. Sharing in the occasion was his daughter, Dr Kerry Hall (second left)); junior minister in the Ministry of Tourism, St Kitts, Richard Skerrit (left) and minister of tourism, St Lucia, Senator the Hon Allen Chastanet. .

Three distinguished Caribbean nationals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of their countries and the region will be honoured by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) at Caribbean Week in New York next week.

The CTO will present its prestigious awards - including the inaugural CTO Diaspora Award - to nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada at the highly anticipated 37th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball & Awards Presentation at the New York Plaza Hotel on Friday, June 11.

Dame Yvonne Maginley who for half a century served Antigua & Barbuda and the Eastern Caribbean in various capacities - including executive director of the Eastern Caribbean Tourist Association, director general of tourism for Antigua & Barbuda and deputy governor general - will receive the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Your service and dedication to the Caribbean has been fully demonstrated through your many outstanding achievements. You have faithfully served Antigua & Barbuda in many roles, yet always with an eye toward increasing awareness of the tourism industry and the lives of those associated with it. When called upon to serve the wider Caribbean, you did not hesitate and you helped expand recognition of the region to new markets and audiences worldwide," the citation reads.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honours long-serving, high-performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference in the Caribbean. It is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution. It is awarded for achievement that distinguishes the individual's work and provides a legacy for future generations.

making history

Grenadian Dr Roy Hastick will make history when he becomes the first-ever CTO Diaspora Award honouree. Dr Hastick - an avid supporter and advocate of trade, investment and tourism to the Caribbean region - is the founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), a highly respected organisation which promotes economic development on behalf of Caribbean American, African American and other small businesses. He is being awarded for fostering both economic development and prosperity in the Caribbean American community.

"You have opened doors and given generously of your time and wisdom to help others craft their own successes and you represent what it means to be a true leader," the CTO says in its citation.

The third award will be bestowed on Janice Armour, a Dominican entrepreneur and philanthropist who will receive the CTO Special Recognition Award for "your unselfish and unwavering commitment to serving the Caribbean region and its people".

This award honours a person or company which has done an extraordinary job of positively promoting tourism to the Caribbean, whose work brings recognition to the region and whose dedication to the development of tourism for the benefit of the people of the Caribbean merits special recognition.