Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Patricia Affonso -Dass, Group GM of Ocean Hotels Group in Barbados, named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year by CHTA, celebrated for her exceptional leadership and dedication. Patricia Affonso-Dass, the Group General Manager of Ocean Hotels Group in Barbados, has been honored as the Caribbean Hotelier of the Year by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). This award highlights her extensive dedication and outstanding leadership in the hospitality sector, emphasizing her substantial impact on both Barbados and the broader Caribbean region.
Born in Dominica, Affonso-Dass’s Caribbean heritage is rich and diverse, having lived in Trinidad and Antigua before settling in Guyana, where she was raised. For the past 22 years, she has called Barbados home. Her academic journey led her to Florida International University, where she earned a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
With over three decades in the industry, her career began with CHTA (previously CHA, linked with the Caribbean Hospitality Training Institute), and she played a pioneering role in Guyana, managing an eco-resort and co-founding the Guyana Hotel and Tourism Association, where she also served as an early president. Currently, as the head of Ocean Hotels Group, her commitment to excellence and elevating Caribbean tourism standards remains unwavering. Affonso-Dass is a firm advocate for the transformative power of local hotel and tourism associations.
She has served as President.
