Sam Raphael has won in the best personal contribution category at this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa was highly commended in the best accommodation for local communities category.
The judges said: “Sam Raphael’s vision was to use tourism to revitalize a community facing poverty after the demise of the banana industry. In an area devoid of tourism his Jungle Bay resort in Dominica was constructed, opened and is now almost entirely operated by the local community. The trickle-down effect of his efforts are felt far and wide from the farmers who supply the resort with produce to the disabled children cared for at the “House of Hope”, and the youth supported by Sam’s initiative to mentor and promote young entrepreneurs. The philosophy that underpins Jungle Bay is wholly down to the passion and commitment of Sam.”
At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), Docklands, London, on Wednesday 10th November, the awards were handed out by Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, organisers and founders of the awards, and Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the awards.
Justin Francis, founder of The Responsible Tourism Awards and managing director, responsibletravel.com, organisers of the Awards said: “This year I have been heartened by the depth of commitment and connection our winners have shown to the local communities in their destinations. Their successes and pioneering spirits are remarkable and the very real and authentic experiences they have created, set responsible tourism apart. They also remind us that holidays can be both luxurious for visitor and enhancing for local people – helping build schools, water pumps, clinics and conserving cultural and natural heritage.”
“I am honoured to be able to receive this award however it is on behalf of all the people associated with Jungle Bay and the community work we have been involved in,” Samuel Raphael said.
Amanda Wills, managing director, Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards said: “I’m once again humbled by the commitment, drive and ingenuity of today’s winners. They have shown us all what can be achieved by the people and places seeking to benefit from tourism, even when the economic climate continues to challenge us all. Their’s is truly an example for the rest of the industry to follow, and I’m delighted that Virgin Holidays is again able to be a part of this celebration.”
Launched in 2004, the Awards are run in association with partners World Travel Market, Metro Newspaper and Geographical Magazine.
For a full list of finalists, see www.responsibletourismawards.com
Congratulations Sam on your accomplishments, you are an inspiration to many. I am impress with your commitment to the people of Dominica. You created jobs which many are greatful for. The House of Hope and the young entrepreneur , you are a beacon you have given hope to the disable and the young men and women.
Amalie
St. Croix USVI / Virginia USA
Congrats sam,
You deserve it… To the best Boss ever!!!!!
@Great: Sam never misrepresente Dominica like Brisbane ok. Sam is a true ambassador even thogh he is not a DLP supporter. H is much different from Bisbane.
Job well done. Responsible innovative fore thinking is what the islands. Thanks for letting the powers that be and the world bare witness to that.
Truth is most of these awards are not internationally recognized!!!!
To date I have neither read nor seen these awards on the BBC esteemed Fast Track television Program.
That is the most respected travel/Tourism show worldwide.
Why?????
Well done Sam.
But shouldn’t DNO be crediting the source of the article instead of claiming it as their own article?
ADMIN
Under the headline clearly states: “Jungle Bay Resort & Spa”…. so if we gave byline credit to the company how could DNO be taking credit for the story. SMH
Congrats. I can remember Charles Saverin bad mouthing Sam, well at least the man has a business and can employ a few people. Now he is on Brisbane case, I hope he will buy the farmers produce but anyway ….
People just a moment live the politics out. Congratulate SAM for a job well done, He made us all proud as Dominicians moving back to Dominica with something positive to help people with jobs. Thanks Sam, I will visit in March if Gods spare.
thats very good news .you really work for it .
keep on praying and you get grater things in the feature.
you also have good stafe working with you.
P.Casimir
i love Jungle Bay!!!
Congratulations to Mr. Sam Raphael and the staff at Jungle Bay. This is wonderful for us.You make us proud. Keep up the good work.
@Is that so?: At least Sam has put the monies to good use. what about those who steal from the Treasury, use people’s money to do corrupt things or use public office to amass personal wealth. Hoe many of those in ‘Power’ has invested into any tourism venture or productive sector? All they do is suck up money from the tax payers, receive their big salaries engage in secret controversial deals and ruin the productive sectors of this country. Such persons are creating more and more poverty, not realizing that Dominica possess many natural resources waiting to be exploited and developed. Do you really wish Sam well? Just check your bracketed, sarcastic comments, which tells me that you are just being hypocritical.
Leave Politics and Governance of our beautiful Dominica to your friends? But seriously what is politics and politicking? Politics and economics go hand in hand. Politics and Tourism are inter-related. Bad politics by your political friends is destroying Dominica.
CONGRATULATIONS SAM,!.!!!!DONT TURN BACK!!!!!!KEEP ON MOVING !!!!
Congrats……..The stone which the builder refuses became the HEAD CORNER STONE, more power to you and the DELICES community…….
Sam has been doing a tremendous job within the tourism industry, linking his innovative ideas to build the local communities in the East. Sam has been facing many challenges but he is a focused and determined entrepreneur. Dominica needs people like Sam. But alas, our country has been turned into a mendicant Society, where official policy by this Govt. hinges on hand-outs for purely political reasons and dependence on foreign countries for most of our development thrust. The standard of living in many communities have declined significantly, given the demise of the agricultural sector due to the lack of emphasis in that productive sector. The rural folks are bawling. The DLP Skerritt Govt. has abandoned agriculture.
The emphasis now is on personal enrichment for a few while the rural poor become poorer with every passing day. The award to Sam and his Jungle Bay Resort and Spa is further recognition of the selfless work he is doing. It is a truism that hard-working people in this country, who do not support Govt’s backward policy and Bad Governance are vilified. Those locals like Sam, who come up with brilliant ideas and implement them successfully, who dare express legitimate concerns with wrong doings, are ridiculed by those in Govt. But Sam, you have persevered and you are showing Dominicans what it takes in this tourism business, promoting Dominica in a serious way to the rest of the world. Praises to you my brother.
Congrats for a job well done. Hope this means that more people will visit dominica to taste this award winning experience.
Go cuz! at first it was hard to follow your vision when you just started constructing but its wonderful now. Congrats!
Congratulations Sam and team at Jungle Bay!!!! Well Done!
Well done. You and the community have the right to be proud.
Keep up the good work. A insperation to all.
OH Sammy, you go boy!!!!! Congratulations to you and your staff at Jungle Bay. I am looking forward to hearing much more articles of this nature.
I read it in the London Metro newspaper………………..congrats to Mr Raphael………..
Congrats Sam. Good things!
congrats Mr. Raphael …you really deserve it you’re the best!!!
Cudos to you Sam on yet another prestigious award. Keep up the good work. You are a good hotelier (notwithstanding the millions you still owe to the treasury of Dominica).
Keep doing what you’re good at and leave the politicking to real politicians
Happy to see this we need more like you in dca than many others who sit on money and do nothing for the country but complain about the government. Job well done Ms. R
Good. You deserve that award. keep up the good work.
It would be nice if we started getting our monies back. I wish the business do very well, cause he will pay back Government the monies he owing.
It is our monies mind you!
sammy boy ur an inspiration to every dominican especially the young people who want to be entrepreneurs,,,,i do hope d/ca will give u ur roses while u still dere,,,cuz over the years is a set of foriegners i see giving u awards left right n center!!!!
congratulations are in order
congratulations to you Sam..ur hard work continues to pay off. we on the south east are proud of you and all at Jungle Bay
Congrats Jungle Bay…. To all the staff. The propreietor alone could not do it alone. Keep up the good work, and make notonly Jungle Bay and your selves, but Dominica proud.