Pioneer Caribbean Hotelier Ralph Taylor to be Honoured
by Bruce Parkinson
Ralph Taylor.
The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) will recognize “visionary” Barbadian and Caribbean hospitality pioneer Ralph Taylor at the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on December 6 at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami.
Taylor introduced the all-inclusive concept to Barbados following his acquisition of the Divi resort in 1991. He rebranded the property as Almond Beach Club & Spa and served as chairman and managing director of Almond Resorts Inc. for 20 years.
During his tenure, Taylor spearheaded the successful expansion of Almond Resorts’ all-inclusive portfolio from one property to five hotels totaling 1,549 rooms across Barbados and St. Lucia. Today, he is chairman and CEO of Arcadia Hotels & Resorts, parent company of The Soco Hotel in Barbados and The Soco House in St. Lucia.
Taylor’s contributions to Caribbean tourism have been widely recognized. In 1995, his commitment to industry development earned him the Caribbean Hotelier of the Year honour from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). In 2006, he received the inaugural Barbados Minister of Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to tourism in the region.
A past president and chairman of CHTA, Taylor has also served as chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority, the Tourism Development Corporation and the Advisory Council of the Minister of Tourism in Barbados as well as president of the Barbados Hotel Association. Most recently, he received an honourary doctorate from The University of the West Indies.
