Alesia Edwards
Elsie Christie, a resident of Lime Hall in St. Ann, has always had a passion for providing good service to people, whether international visitors or locals, and it’s no wonder that she has worked in the tourism industry for more than 50 years.
It’s a journey she has enjoyed immensely and, had it not been for ill health, ‘Ms Elsie’, as her many guests called her, would still be employed in the sector, providing quality service and ensuring that her visitors’ vacation were memorable. Ms Elsie has worked at the Terra Nova Villa in Mammee Bay for 50 years and it is a job, she explained to the North Coast Times, that she loved.
“I love it man, I love providing good service, I love when my guests are satisfied and I love when they come to me and say ‘Oh, Ms Elsie that was very good, it gives me a joy’,” said a very cheerful Ms Elsie, who will celebrate her 80th birthday on November 10.
Ms Elsie retired from her job at Terra Nova in May, where she was in charge of the daily operations of the villa, and she explained to The Times that her decision to call it quits came when she realized that the quality service she is known to provide would have been impacted by her health.
“If the health was there I would still be at work but I love to provide good service and when I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to provide good service I decide that it is time for me to go home,” she said.
Ms Elsie was awarded a Badge of Honour for long and dedicated service, during the National Awards and Honours ceremony at Kings House on Heroes Day, Monday, October 20, for her long and dedicated service to the hospitality and tourism industry. She explained to The Times that she never expected to be recognized nationally, but said she was very grateful and she felt that her contribution to the growth of the tourism sector over the five decades was appreciated.
“I feel good, I think I deserve it. I worked really hard. At my age it is a good feeling,” Ms Elsie said of her award.
In May, the management of Terra Nova also held a luncheon in Ms Elsie’s honour where she was recognized for 50 years of sterling contribution to the property.
Ms Elsie said during her time at Terra Nova she has had thousands of international guests from all across the world and she said many often return to the villa because they were very satisfied with the service they received. She said she would often go shopping with the guests and prepare tasty Jamaican dishes which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Ms Elsie said she remained at the small property because it made her feel more at home and she enjoyed a better relationship, with not only her guests, but also her co workers.
She said while she stayed at the property most of the time, she had a very supportive husband who predeceased her 39 years ago. She said her job allowed her to care for her five children, three girls and two boys.
“I love tourism, I just love it, there was no other sector or job that I would have done,” she added.
