September has been a banner month for Jamal Darville, marina deckhand at Old Bahama Bay at Ginn sur Mer. Not only did he win the resort's coveted 'Employee of the Quarter,' but he was also chosen for an ultimate NASCAR experience from amongst 2,500 Ginn Resorts employees.
Within a week of being named 'Employee of the Quarter' at Old Bahama Bay, Darville learned he would join 11 other Ginn Resorts' employees from across the United States on a Fantasy NASCAR trip in which employees are treated as celebrities for a weekend.
After being whisked away on a Ginn Resorts' company jet, Darville settled into a luxury villa at Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, a golf and spa resort located on two miles of pristine oceanfront in Palm Coast, Florida. As his special guest, he brought along his mother, Gloria Darville.
The following day, the pair, along with the other winners and their guests, travelled by private jet to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Virginia. Their VIP experience included a police- escorted bus tour of the racetrack, suite tickets, pit tours, food and beverage, and NASCAR merchandise.
"This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Dar-ville stated. Reflecting on his stay at the 1,100-acre Ginn Hammock Beach Resort and a visit to the marina at Ginn Resorts Yacht Harbor Village, also in Palm Coast, Florida, Darville said what impressed him most was the staff. "They are so professional and offer outstanding service. That's what I took away from this trip," he said.
Amidst cheers from fellow employees, Bob Van Bergen, vice president and general manager of Ginn sur Mer, presented Darville with a plaque, certificate and cheque. Sous chef, Samuel Ferguson was also honoured at the event with similar gifts for being named 'Manager of the Quarter.'
"We continue our commitment to the future of the Bahamian tourism industry," said Van Bergen. "We realize that visitors take lasting memories home from our resort and it is not simply because of the beautiful views and accommodations. It is the employees who strive daily to create the highest level of hospitality for our guests that bring the Old Bahama Bay at Ginn sur Mer experience to life."
Samuel Ferguson, a Bahamian tourism industry veteran, credited his family for his love for his chosen field. "The majority of my family has always worked in tourism and growing up, I admired them and liked what they said about their jobs," Ferguson said.
After 24 years in the industry, including working at the former Jack Tar Village in West End, Ferguson said what he enjoys most is helping young Bahamians reach their career goals in the culinary field.
Jamal Darville shares Ferguson's enthusiasm about the hospitality industry. Though he has worked in tourism for just a little over two years, he looks forward to a long career. "What I enjoy most about my job is the privilege of meeting new and interesting people from all over the world," said Darville.
Ginn Resorts is currently developing Ginn sur Mer, a 2,000 acre resort community adjacent to Old Bahama Bay that will contain more than 4,400 condominium and hotel units, nearly 2,000 single family residential home sites, signature golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, clubhouses, two large marinas, a private airport, a Monte Carlo style casino, water and swim pavilions, a beach club and a spa.
The $4.9 billion Ginn sur Mer development will serve as Ginn Resorts flagship Caribbean development. |
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