Three East End ambassadors were recognised as part of Unesco’s World Tourism Day celebrations.

Kristin White, the owner of Long Story Short bookstore and a tour guide, Dennie O’Connor, the co-owner and operations director for Tobacco Bay and Clearwater Beach, and Alfred Konrad, the chef and co-owner for Wahoo’s Bistro and Patio, were honoured as ambassadors by the Corporation of St George.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority also donated a bench in memory of Phillip Anderson, a former councillor for the Town of St George, who died last year.

Ms White won the award in the cultural tourism category, Mr O’Connor in experience tourism and Mr Konrad in hospitality tourism.

All four were honoured at a presentation in St George’s last Friday, attended by George Dowling III, the Mayor of St George, town administrator Courtney Trott, Bermuda Tourism Authority chief operations officer Karla Lacey and area MP Renée Ming.

Mr Trott said: “The activities committee came up with some names through consultation and then we created an online poll to select the winners.”

The bench for Mr Anderson is outside the former Visitors Information Centre on King’s Square, where he served as a tourism ambassador.

Ms Ming, who is Mr Anderson’s great-niece, said: “Is it possible to sum up Phillip ‘Phoopa’ Anderson?

“We are here today because he was a lively character who displayed his love for tourism in its present state and was always exploring ways to move it forward for our island home, especially within St George’s.

“He always said he was looking out for the future generations of St George’s.”

The award was the fifth tourism recognition for Mr O’Connor this year.

He said: “The East End has been a hidden gem for the beach economy for years.

“The experiences we are creating for our guests at Tobacco Bay and Clearwater have been well received and we thank the community for their continuous support as it takes a collaborative effort to win.

“It is our goal to create a standard of excellency throughout the island so, no matter which beach you wish to visit, you will receive first-class Bermudian service.”