Travel advisors honoured at inaugural Diamond Awards & Gala in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines took part in the inaugural Diamond Awards & Gala to recognize and celebrate top performing travel advisors from Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. this weekend at Sandals St. Vincent.

“Your clients trust you with their valuable experiences, they trust you with their time. They trust you with their money, they trust you to give them great memories that will last a lifetime. You listen to them, you advise them, you reassure them, and ultimately, you help people turn their travel ideas into experiences that they will always remember,” Dr. Godwin Friday shared on stage before personally handing out awards to the global group of travel advisors. “That is why tonight’s Diamond Awards are important. Each award is about partnership, it’s about confidence and commitment. Tonight we recognize people who have become ambassadors for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in important international markets. We know we cannot do without you.”

Lois Barbour of Travel Time Agency, the top-selling Canadian agent, told TravelPress Today that being recognized validates all the hard work that goes into a career in the travel industry.

“We appreciate the destinations that keep track and reward performance numbers. They understand that is also a motivator for many agents, even if they are only competing against their own past numbers. Sandals is our #1 preferred resort across the Caribbean so St. Vincent is no exception. And the fact that this destination is a newer offering for them makes it a top choice,” she noted. “While it’s not the reason for the career choice, it also helps confirm for clients that we are a valid choice for their vacation planning.”

Barbour shared that St. Vincent and the Grenadines stands out from many other Caribbean destinations because it has an unplugged feel to it.

“It’s truly an opportunity to rest and relax while experiencing somewhere different. Clients love it for the beautiful new resort offering, the unique setting and natural beauty that the island offers. Many of my clients have been to all the Sandals destination so a new one holds a true appeal,” she added. “Since launching destinationweddings.ca, we’re also seeing Canadian couples looking for a broad variety of experiences that go beyond our regular client relationships.”

Jennifer Gaskell of Pink Palm Travel, who earned the #2 top spot for Canada, shared that being recognized is a proud moment for her agency.

“I put a lot of time into experiencing destinations firsthand so I can make informed recommendations to my clients. I take that responsibility seriously, and being recognized for that work makes me proud of the business Pink Palm Travel has become,” she said. “Most of my bookings to Saint Vincent are for Sandals St. Vincent. It has been a wonderful introduction to the destination for my clients, combining the Sandals experience they love with an island that offers something distinctive. The resort brings them here, but Saint Vincent itself is a big part of the appeal. I love the dramatic scenery, the clear water and how untouched Saint Vincent feels.”

Gaskell added that there’s something special about the destination, and seeing the lush mountains alongside the Caribbean Sea.

“For my clients, it’s an opportunity to experience somewhere that feels less familiar, with beautiful surroundings and a quieter pace,” she said. “Sandals St. Vincent gives them the comfort and service they’re looking for in a setting that feels like an escape.”

The leading travel advisors from Canada are:

• 1) LOIS BARBOUR, TRAVEL TIME AGENCY

• 2) JENNIFER GASKELL, PINK PALM TRAVEL

• 3) KIM HARTLEN, KIM HARTLEN TRAVEL (not in attendance)
• 4) STEPHEN PECA, FLIGHT CENTRE CANADA

• 5) JIM KENNEDY, EXPEDIA CRUISES CANADA (not in attendance)
• 6) NEKEYSHA TAYLOR, TAILORED TRAVELERS

• 7) JESSY SAMAROO, NORTHSTAR TRAVEL & ASSOCIATES

• 8) KIRSTY ROBERTS, ENVOYAGE CANADA

• 9) LEANNE MACLEOD, WIND WAVES AND WANDS VACATIONS (not in attendance)
• 10) TRICIA MADILL, LAWRENCE PARK TRAVEL

Recognizing travel advisors

The SVG Tourism Authority’s director of commercial Shelley John noted that travel advisors play a pivotal role in growing awareness and visitation to the destination. As a means of rewarding their efforts,  the SVG Global Travel Advisors Diamond Rewards program was first launched in 2025.

“While previous certification programs focused on education and destination knowledge, the Diamond Rewards Program introduced monetary incentives as a way of expressing our appreciation for the outstanding work advisors do in introducing their clients to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,”John noted. “From July 2025 through June 2026, advisors who logged the highest number of room nights were awarded each month. Tonight, through our Diamond Awards, we are proud to recognize the top performing advisors who recorded the highest number of room nights in the Discover SVG portal during the entire program year.”

Canadian travel advisors experience Bequia, the second-largest island in the Grenadines

Notably, the collective advisors in attendance generated over 2,200 room nights.

“We’re very proud of this program,” she added. “This has made a significant contribution to tourism growth and to the success of our destination.”

Upon completing the certification program, travel advisors also earn the distinction of being a Discover SVG pro.

Tricia Madill and Jennifer Gaskell during a site inspection at Sandals St. Vincent

“To the travel advisors, especially, we appreciate fully the role you play in supporting us daily. We understand that you have many options. Right here in the Caribbean, you have some very great options, but you choose to tell your clients to come to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” noted Dr. Kishore Shallow, minister of tourism for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “You translate our destination into an experience to your clients and for them to imagine, and you do an excellent job at that. Hence, our visitor arrivals have been increasing over the years.”

Checking out the view from La Vue in St. Vincent

Beyond the awards

Split between Sandals St. Vincent, Young Island Resort and the Beachcombers, travel advisors had the opportunity to travel to Bequia and the Tobago Cays to get a glimpse of what awaits their clients in the destination.

Sue Webb and Shahfreen Elavia from Vox International, which represents SVG in Canada, in the Tobago Cays 

“We are blessed with an extraordinary country — 32 islands and cays we always brag about,” said Dr. Friday. “A mainland with dramatic mountains and valleys, waterfalls, rainforests, volcanic landscapes that take your breath away. Much of it is yet to be explored and developed. The world’s famous Tobago Cays and the incomparable Grenadines. A charm, tranquility, friendliness, service, the same waters that are among the finest in the world. In the world, these are our blessings. Our hospitality, however, we make that ourselves. It is genuine, and we try to make everyone who arrives here feel as though we have known them for a lifetime. That is the experience that we want every visitor to have when they come to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Trevello’s Tessa Porter and Jessy Samaroo of Northstar Travel and Associates during a lunch stop in Mayreau