VETERAN musician Byron Lee and independent Jamaica’s first director of tourism, Frank Pringle, Tuesday night became the first inductees into the Air Jamaica Hall of Fame and were described by the airline’s chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, as “true patriots and ultimate nationalists”.

Both men were also presented Air Jamaica’s Royal Jamaica Award in a dazzling and regal ceremony held at King’s House, the governor-general’s official residence, in Kingston.

The Air Jamaica Hall of Fame and the Royal Jamaica Awards were both established this year to honour Jamaicans who have made significant contributions to nation-building, specifically representing and promoting the island abroad.

In his opening remarks, deputy chairman and chief executive officer of Air Jamaica, Chris Zacca, paid tribute to the honourees, stating that “if each of us made a contribution, even one-tenth of what these two have done for Jamaica, then our beloved country would be a much better place”.

The ceremony, which ended with cocktails on the east lawns of King’s House, began with a spine-tingling audio visual presentation of an Air Jamaica airplane take-off and featured two 13-minute biographies documenting the major achievements of the awardees through the eyes of the men and women they have worked with in the course of their lives.

Advertising executive, Ronnie Nasralla introduced the video documentary on Lee, his long-time friend and business associate, and reminisced on their schoolboy football days that initially brought them together.

After recounting Lee’s skill and aptitude as a member of the St George’s College football and cricket teams, Nasralla said Lee was the man who “brought discipline and class to show business”.

He cited Lee’s association with Jamaica Festival, Dynamic Sounds, Jamaica Carnival and the internationally-acclaimed band, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

“Byron never wanted to be left out of the match,” Nasralla said. “He knew that if you passed him the ball he would finish the job. Give him an opportunity and he will realise a thousand goals. That, more or less, sums up Byron Lee’s character.”

The video, which was expertly directed by Brian St Juste and produced by Max Earl of Frame by Frame productions, spoke to Lee’s business acumen, high standards and insistence on discipline. It featured interviews with calypso giant The Mighty Sparrow, and Jamaican music icon “Toots” Hibbert, who declared, “what he (Byron Lee) does, I don’t think anyone can do better”.

After receiving his award, Lee, who admitted that he rarely gives speeches, gave credit to his wife of 38 years, his family and his band.

“I am proud and honoured to be a part of a profession that has brought so much joy and goodwill to people, not only in Jamaica and in the Caribbean, but all over the world,” he said.

At the end of his short reply, Lee left the platform to tumultuous applause.

The second awardee, John Pringle, was described as “a totally unique Jamaican” by morning talk show host Anthony Abrahams, himself a former director and minister of tourism.

According to Abrahams, Pringle was “the first Jamaican globalist, and the father of modern Jamaican tourism”.

“John Pringle is the kind of man that can only be described by a string of clichés,” said Abrahams, “by words like, dynamic, articulate, energetic, imaginative…”

He cited Pringle’s role in establishing Jamaica’s presence in the world tourism market.

Occasionally lapsing into stories about Pringle’s ebullient character, which, he said, was rivalled only by his strict attention to detail and disciplined attitude toward maintaining the highest standards, Abrahams highlighted some of the many ventures Pringle was associated with, including the founding of Round Hill, one of the most famous and exclusive resorts on the island, and the marketing of the people and culture of Jamaica over the island’s physical attributes.

“He is one of the first Jamaicans who appreciated the totally unique nature of Jamaica,” said Abrahams, adding, “if John Pringle had his way, Jamaica would not be a poor country today.”

In the video which followed, viewers were treated to a glimpse of Pringle’s world, one which included movie stars and royalty through a series of photographs, most of them taken at Round Hill throughout the resort’s 50 years.

After accepting the award, Pringle spoke heartfelt and inspiring words about Jamaica’s tourism industry, challenging those involved to work harder and more imaginatively towards fine-tuning the product.

“I think of all sorts of things that we could do, that we are not doing,” he said, adding that personal relationships with guests formed some of the best advertising.

“Even though I have been all over the world… I am a Jamaican everywhere I go,” added Pringle.