Brooke Darling is one of five David Riddell Scholarship recipients who will be attending SITE Global Conference 2025 thanks to the generous support of SITE Foundation.
Here is Brooke’s winning essay, where she details the impact the incentive travel industry has made in her life and career so far.
Growing up on the island of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas, I was surrounded by the hospitality industry from a young age.
Freeport, my hometown, thrived on tourism and incentive travel, with every member of my family playing some role within this vibrant sector. I vividly remember accompanying my mother to the events she meticulously planned, witnessing the sparkle in her eyes as she orchestrated each detail, ensuring that the visitors experienced the very best our island had to offer. For her, and for many in my family, hospitality was not just a job; it was a passion, a source of pride, and a way of life.
However, my relationship with the industry was far more complicated. As I grew older, my enthusiasm waned, especially as our island was repeatedly battered by hurricanes, leading to the closure of many hotels that had once been the lifeblood of our community.
The devastation was both physical and emotional, as I watched my family and friends struggle to rebuild their lives after each storm. The cyclical nature of destruction and rebuilding, coupled with the seemingly relentless heat and the omnipresent sand and water, led me to dream of a life away from the Bahamas — a life far removed from the unpredictability and hardships associated with the hospitality industry.
I was determined to carve out a different path for myself, one that would take me far from the shores of Grand Bahama. The industry that had brought my family so much joy and fulfillment had, in my eyes, become synonymous with instability and heartache. I wanted nothing more than to escape the island that had become, in my mind, a “hurricane hotspot.”
But life has a way of altering even the most firmly held beliefs. In 2021, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I returned home to be by her side. Her illness and eventual passing marked a turning point in my life — one that reshaped my perspective on both the Bahamas and the industry I had long tried to distance myself from.
During those challenging months, I found myself working in the very sector I had once despised. Yet, instead of reinforcing my desire to leave, this experience rekindled a deep appreciation for my homeland and the hospitality industry that sustains it.
I began to see the Bahamas through new eyes — the same eyes that had once watched my mother take such pride in her work. The beauty of our islands, the warmth of our people, and the rich history embedded in every corner of the Bahamas were no longer burdens but blessings.
The incentive travel industry, which I had once viewed as a relic of a past I wanted to escape, became a source of healing and pride.
I started to understand why my family had dedicated their lives to this industry. It wasn’t just about providing a service to tourists; it was about showcasing the very best of our country — its resilience, its culture, its natural beauty — and sharing it with the world.
Through my work in this industry, I have found a renewed sense of national pride. The Bahamas is more than just a place of sun, sand, and sea; it is a place of history, community, and endless opportunity.
My role in the incentive travel industry allows me to share this with visitors from around the globe, helping them to see the Bahamas not just as a destination, but as a place that embodies the spirit of perseverance and hospitality.
The impact of the industry on my life has been profound. It has transformed my perception of my homeland and instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to its growth and development. I now wear the badge of Bahamian hospitality with honor, eager to showcase the wonders of my country to all who visit.
In conclusion, the incentive travel industry has not only shaped my family and community but has also been instrumental in my personal journey. It has taught me the value of resilience, the importance of national pride, and the beauty of sharing our culture with the world.
I am now proud to be a part of this industry, and I am committed to continuing the legacy of hospitality that my family — and especially my mother — so passionately upheld.
