Miss Hospitality Looking Forward To New Role

Echaunti Swan, the 24-year-old Western Kentucky University graduate representing Hamilton Parish, was crowned the first-ever Miss Hospitality at the Miss Bermuda Pageant last Sunday night [June 23].

The event took place at the Fairmont Southampton and featured seven young women vying for the title, in addition to the titles of Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic and the main title, Miss Bermuda.

Miss Swan, who also won the title of Miss Congeniality, said: “We had to do interviews two weeks before [the pageant]. I had no idea I was going to win, but I was very, very happy, because I just graduated with a communications degree and hospitality is the field that I’d like to go into.”

The judging for the Miss Hospitality competition took place on June 14. Miss Hospitality judge Karen Simmons said she chose Miss Swan based on her enthusiasm for the award, her experience in the hospitality industry and her demonstrated pride for Bermuda.

“She was not selfish in how she was going to share the award – choosing her cousin who has supported her throughout not just this competition but her life struggles,” added Ms Simmons, who is a Whitney Institute teacher and a member of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute’s Education and Outreach Committee.

“Miss Hospitality exemplifies what it is to be Bermudian – pride in self and country, a keen interest in sharing the blessings and beauty of our island with everyone and a warm, bubbly personality,” she continued.

All five judges noted Miss Swan’s current involvement in the hospitality industry – she is a hostess at the Pickled Onion – as a strong factor in their decision-making process.

The other judges included BHI CEO Karla Lacey – who crowned Miss Hospitality at the event – Cambridge Beaches General Manager Richard Quinn, Director of Human Resources for the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Kellianne Smith and Tina Evans-Caines, Manager of On-Island Communications for the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

The addition of the Miss Hospitality title to the Miss Bermuda Pageant was a result of the combined efforts of BHI and the Miss Bermuda Pageant Organisation. The new crown stemmed from BHI’s rationale that females who compete in pageants have the poise and confidence to excel as excellent ambassadors for Bermudian hospitality.

In her new role, Miss Hospitality commits to providing four hours of service each month to participate in school outreach programs and student networking events and to promote and post hospitality-related events and experiences on social media. She will also participate in the 2014 Bermuda Day Parade.

Miss Swan added: “I really look forward to helping young people get into the hospitality field as well as fulfill their goals and passions in the hospitality industry by showing that Bermuda is more than just a beautiful island. We have so much more, with friendly people and a friendly environment.”

The announcement of the Miss Hospitality winner:

But the icing on the cake for earning the new title comes in the plush package of multiple hotel night stays, dining vouchers and attraction packages to a host of Bermuda’s finest hotspots.

“I’m really, really excited about the packages and I plan to take my cousin, Antoinette, with me,” added Miss Swan. “She pushed me to do my best and really gave the confidence to do the pageant. She was one of my biggest support systems throughout the competition.”

The Reefs, Grotto Bay Resort, The Fairmont Southampton, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Rosedon, and St George’s Club all provided one night stays, complete with complimentary breakfast.

Miss Swan will also dine with her cousin at Cambridge Beaches, Café Amici, Bone Fish Restaurant, Angelo’s Bistro, Fourways Inn, and at any one of the Island Restaurant Group of establishments. The attraction packages include a date for two at Dolphin Quest, Segway Tours and Island Tour Centre.

You can view all our coverage of Miss Bermuda here.

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