AS THE Intimate Hotels of Barbados (IHB) celebrates its 25th anniversary, its Founding Chairman and Managing Director of Golden Sands Hotel, Denis Tull, reflects on the journey that has shaped the organisation and the vital role it continues to play in the country’s tourism industry. At 88 years old, Tull’s perspective on the past offers a unique glimpse into the vision and determination that sparked the beginning of IHB success.
Looking back, Tull recalled a time when the Government had provided concessions to larger hotels, but smaller hotels and villas were left out of the equation. “Around the time of conception, the Government had provided concessions to a number of larger hotels. However, the smaller hotels and villas were exempt and did not receive anything. It was at that time I decided to lobby on behalf of them as I was a hotelier myself. I figured if the big ones can get, we should too,” he shared.
Tull’s passion for supporting smaller establishments was clear from the outset. As a hotelier, he saw firsthand the financial challenges these businesses faced. Small hotels were struggling to keep up with renovations and improvements on limited budgets and without assistance, many feared they would be left behind, jeopardising the island’s ability to offer a range of accommodation for international visitors.
In an effort to remedy the situation, Tull lobbied for support from the highest levels of Government. He approached then Prime Minister Owen Arthur to discuss a possible solution. “At the time, he told me that if we came together and formed a body or group, then he could further discuss and negotiate a form of assistance. This became the catalyst for the creation of the IHB, an organisation that would provide a united voice for small, locally owned hotels and villas,” Tull said.
The vision was simple but crucial – to garner assistance for the small, locally owned hotels and villas. One of the key objectives was to lobby a loan, to ensure that small hotels were able to operate in a profitable way. Tull’s efforts proved fruitful. The government provided a grant for marketing, bulk purchasing and other initiatives to support the small hotels. This included setting up a secretariat to coordinate and carry out these functions on their behalf.
There was also the establishment of the Small Hotels Investment Fund to provide concessionary funding for renovations and general improvement of the sector. This was managed by the Enterprise Growth Fund Limited and Tull sat on the committee from inception.
This funding proved critical in ensuring the survival and growth of many small hotels during a time of financial strain. A major standout highlight Tull mentioned that he holds close to his heart is the fact that “Renée Coppin, who accompanied me on the first meeting with late Prime Minister Arthur – later went on to become chairman of the IHB and then the chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).”
As the IHB celebrates its 25th anniversary, Tull reflected with pride on the organisation’s continued success. He said, “Looking back, it was a worthwhile initiative. Tourism is the lifeblood of Barbados’ economy, and finances are critical to these businesses. So, even after 25 years, it is critical that the IHB remains active in lobbying for what small hotels need.”
Tull’s vision from 25 years ago remains just as relevant today, and he hopes the organisation will continue to thrive. He concluded, saying “I hope to see more support for the organisation as it continues to blossom. I look forward to the future, more than 25 years from now where the tenets of the vision so long ago hold true, and that the IHB withstands all the rough patches that the tourism industry brings.”
CHAIRPERSONS
Denis Tull – Founding Chairman
Jeffrey Kinch – Founding Deputy Chairman
Renée Coppin
Kashka Haynes
Omar Allahar
Soni Kessuram
Mahmood Patel
Shireene Mathlin-Tulloch – Present Chairman
THANK YOU MESSAGE
THE INTIMATE HOTELS OF BARBADOS take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to all past and current chairpersons. The unwavering support, dedication, and vision each chairperson exhibited greatly contributed to the sustainability of the association, Collectively, Thank you for your
25 years of service.
