Richard Doumeng, managing director of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, will be honored with the Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association’s (USVI-HTA) Award of Excellence at the annual Tommy Star Awards Gala. This major black tie event will take place on Nov. 5 at the Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort.
Doumeng has devoted his career to the hospitality industry of St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean. A member of the Doumeng family that has managed and owned Bolongo Bay Beach Resort along with other island hospitality endeavors over the years, Doumeng began working in his younger years in the restaurant and diving club. He currently serves as managing director of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort including the catamaran Heavenly Days, The Lobster Grille and the popular Iggies Beach Bar & Grill.
Doumeng is chairman of the board of directors for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA). He is a past president and has served on the board since 1992. CHTA is at the forefront of the Caribbean hospitality industry and works together with 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 32 national hotel associations in growing the region’s vital tourism business. Doumeng also serves as trustee of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Education Foundation, and, in 2010, he was named the CHTA Hotelier of the Year Award.
Closer to home, Doumeng proudly serves on the board of directors for the USVI-HTA), where he’s been a five-time president since 1991. He also serves on the board of directors for the V.I. Taxi Cab Commission.
Throughout his extensive career, his commitment to his island home has included civic participation and outreach in the territory. He has served as the chairman of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a board member of the United Way and of Crime Stoppers. Doumeng is on the board of trustees for Antilles School and is a member of the President’s Advisory Council for the University of the Virgin Islands. An avid sports fan, he’s also had the pleasure of being a defensive coach for the Antilles School JV flag football team for seven seasons.
The coveted USVI-HTA Award of Excellence is the ultimate accolade bestowed upon any individual within the hospitality and tourism industry in the Virgin Islands. The winner has had an exceptional career dedicated to improving hospitality and tourism while using their experience and knowledge to promote, develop and influence the territory’s talent.
“Richard Doumeng has been a valued member of the USVI-HTA for 25 years, and has served in several leadership roles that have shaped the association into the vibrant organization it is today,” said Lisa Hamilton, president of the USVI-HTA. “His commitment to the success of Caribbean tourism is immeasurable as he takes on every project with passion and dedication. His and his family’s service to the community and region are extraordinary. It is with great pleasure that we honor him with this prestigious award."
“I am tremendously honored to receive the VI HTA’s Award of Excellence recognizing my contributions to our industry and community,” said Doumeng. “My real joy and pride comes from being able to recognize and acknowledge the amazing perseverance, effort and good will put forth by the Doumeng and Bolongo family. For more than 40 years, the key to Bolongo’s success has been the wonderful people who work there. The dedication, ability and caring by others for our guests and each other have made it possible for me to embrace organizations outside of Bolongo and to become the recipient of this prestigious award.”
To learn more, visit www.BolongoBay.com.