NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) and family members of the late William “Billy” Saunders, William “AJ” Saunders III, grandson, and Janis Saunders, daughter of Billy Saunders, were pleased to gather with industry partners from the University of The Bahamas (UB) to meet and congratulate the very first recipient of The William Saunders Endowment Resource Award, Ms. Donae Gibson, who is enrolled in Culinary Arts & Tourism Studies at UB’s College of Tourism, Hospitality, and Leisure Management (CALM).
When asked about her future plans in the Hospitality Industry, Ms. Gibson, a bright and promising student, spoke about going beyond her culinary skills and one day owning and operating her own hotel in The Bahamas.
The Saunders family members encouraged Ms. Gibson to follow her dreams, reminding her that “through hard work every day and a commitment to excellence, anything is possible.”
“AJ” Saunders reflected on the humble beginnings of their now hugely successful family-owned business, Majestic Tours, and how his grandfather started the company almost 70 years ago, with one borrowed car, a dream, and the steadfast support of his wife, Iris Saunders.
The award-winning company grew from meager means to become one of the longest-running, largest transfer and tour operators in The Bahamas, with over 90 employees and a formidable fleet of vehicles.
Saunders defined his company’s motto in one simple sentence: “We only sell one thing: service,” and spoke about his grandfather’s lifelong dedication to seeing others succeed—to be the best version of themselves in whatever role they played in his company or the tourism industry in general. The family also invited Ms. Gibson to visit them at their place of business so she could see how the company operates.
“My father wanted to have Hospitality and Tourism taught in every classroom. He believed it should be a fundamental part of the educational experience in The Bahamas, given the prominent role it plays in our country,” stated Janis Saunders, who has worked at her father’s company throughout her career in tourism alongside her brothers Scott and William “BJ” II. “He was passionate about passing on his knowledge, his insights about the hospitality industry.”
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association continues to work alongside private and public sector partners to engage and connect students to the tourism industry as part of their Workforce Development Efforts and Initiatives, recognizing that while a beautiful Tourism “Product and Place” is of paramount importance to the Hospitality Industry, it is the People of and in The Bahamas that are the lifeblood of Tourism for The Bahamas.
