Berthia Monica Parle

Parle began her career in the hospitality sector as a trainee at the Steigenberger Cariblue Hotel in Saint Lucia.^[1] She then trained at hotels in Bermuda and Germany.^[1] In 1985, Parle was among investors for the restaurant Capone's, then Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour and the Patio Restaurant in Saint Lucia.^[1]

Parle was president of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association,^[2] during a period when the rise of all-inclusive resorts threatened small hotels and local entrepreneurs.^[3] Parle also encouraged Caribbean governments to work together to ensure financial benefits from the cruise sector and sustainable tourism in the region.^[4][5][6]

In 2002, Parle was elected as the first Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA).^[2] In 2003, Parle was awarded the Golden Conch as Caribbean Hotelier of the Year at the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference^[1][7] and was listed as "one of the most powerful women in tourism" by Travel Agent magazine.^[8] In the 2004 Birthday Honours for the Commonwealth realms, Parle was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the tourism industry.^{[citation needed]}

Parle served as the first female president of the CHA from 2004 to 2006.^[9][10][11] In 2007, Parle announced the opening of Bay Gardens Beach Resort in Saint Lucia.^[12]

In 2012, Parle was appointed by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Pearlette Louisy, as an independent senator in the Senate of Saint Lucia, the upper house of the Parliament of Saint Lucia.^[13][14] Parle was elected by the senators to act as deputy president of the Senate from 2012 to 2016.^[15] While in post as senator, Parle challenged local farmers to diversify their production to decrease the importing of produce by the Saint Lucian hospitality sector.^[16] Parle is "often prominently featured in the press as a kind of "voice" during St. Lucian elections."^[17]

Parle served as Honorary Consul to Finland for a decade and was appointed to the Order of the Lion of Finland and Order of the White Rose of Finland in honour of her service.^[18]

• Caribbean Hotelier of the Year (2003)^[1]
• Member of the Order of the British Empire
• Order of the Lion of Finland^[18]
• Order of the White Rose of Finland^[18]