Mrs Berthia Parle

Mrs Berthia Parle, is considered Saint Lucia's first lady of tourism, she is the General Manager of the Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa. In 2012 Berthia was appointed by the Governor General to serve as an independent Senator, and elected by her peers to serve as Deputy President of the Senate. Senator Parle has been an esteemed member of the tourism industry for more than 30 years, and among her many achievements, was her election as the first female president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). Berthia Parle is an admired tourism guru, a trend setter and fashionista. She has judged several local and regional pageants including Miss World local, Miss Universe, Miss Carnival Queen Show over the last 25 years. Mrs. Parle is the recipient of several awards- namely First inductee into the tourism Hall of Fame. - SLHTA Crystal Award – 1998 - An Honorary degree – the Associates of Science Degree of Hotel & Restaurant Management from the Jamaica Western Hospitality Institute in May 2002. - Twice selected Among “The Most Powerful Women in Travel” - Awarded by Travel Agent Magazine (August 2002 and August 2003) Several other awards of Appreciation around the Caribbean region where she has given voluntarily and generously of her time and expertise out of love for her profession, and for the hospitality and tourism industry. - Caribbean Hotelier of the Year 2002/2003. - Her tenure as President of the Caribbean Hotel Association ended in June 2006 - Business Executive of Year – April 2006 - Award for Continued Commitment to Sustainable Tourism Development in the Caribbean – Awarded by the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMex) October 2006. - Appointment as Honorary Consul for Finland in 2010 - Appointed Senator & Deputy President of the Senate– December 29th, 2011 She is committed to the sustainable tourism development of the region and has participated as a key note speaker in several regional and international conferences.