 The St. Lucia Tourism Awards, the Jimmy's, made its debut on Wednesday 26 April 2023, birthing a new era of celebrating and acknowledging excellence, innovation and a distinction within the hospitality industry. Hospitality contributors from all parts of the sector gathered in one space to extol the hard work and dedication of their peers, contemporaries and colleagues. And after Mount Jimmy, the highest peak in the country, standing at an elevation of 3,120 feet, the Jimmy's is synonymous with reaching new heights, the pinnacle of excellence. The actual award design, which depicts the Jimmy's, was conceptualized and created by world-renowned sculptor, designer and son of the soil, Jaleem Yudovic. The Ministry of Tourism-led Initiative, the Jimmy's, was developed to serve as an opportunity to set new benchmarks of excellence, recognize the best in the industry and reflect on their indelible contribution, which drives the sector. My name is Andromondesie. My business name is La Emodésia. The Jimmy that I won was for craft and souvenir retailer of the year. Getting the nomination, it was a big thrill. I mean, I'm a small fish in this huge tourism industry and to be recognized, that was exciting. Winning the award was encouraging. It really gave me the motivation to even improve in my craft. In collaboration with Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association, SLHTA, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, SLTA, the Ministry of Tourism uses the Jimmy's to show why Saint Lucia is known worldwide as a destination of choice. Dear SC members of the tourism community, we are delighted to extend a warm welcome to you as we kick off the call for nominations for the highly anticipated 2024 Saint Lucia Tourism Awards. This prestigious event is a celebration of excellence, innovation, and dedication within our vibrant tourism industry. In line with our commitment to recognizing outstanding contributions and fostering growth, this year brings exciting updates. We are introducing new award categories to ensure more of our outstanding operators get their recognition they deserve. Building on the global momentum and in aligning the theme of the 2023 World Tourism Day, Tourism and Green Investments, we are placing a special focus on sustainable practices and eco-friendly innovations. This theme underscores our collective responsibility to promote tourism that not only captivates but also preserves the beauty of our beloved Saint Lucia. In our quest to ensure Saint Lucia continues its reign, as a Caribbean-leading honeymoon, nature, and adventure destination, we solicit the support of all industry stakeholders in this journey of selecting the new crop of Jimmy's winners, whose dedication we are eager to celebrate. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to making Saint Lucia a premier destination. We look forward to all your nominations. As a nation, let's celebrate an industry, the people and organizations that form part of the social and economic fabric of Saint Lucia. The countdown to the Jimmy's 2024 begins now. Get on the road to Jimmy's 2024.