To the rescue — Top hoteliers tasked with saving tourism
THE country’s top hoteliers and business professionals have been named to a nine-man Tourism Advisory Council mandated to assist in shaping and implementing tourism policy.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett yesterday released the names of the nine.
They are Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of the Sandals Group; SuperClubs Chairman John Issa; chairman of the Iberostar Hotel, Miguel Fluxa; chairman of The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, Karl Hendrickson; and managing director of Charela Inn, Daniel Grizzle; group managing director of Lascelles deMercado and Company, William McConnell; chairman and CEO of Jamaica Property Company Limited, Maurice Facey; the Hart Group of Companies Chairman Tony Hart; and attorney-at-law Hugh Hart.
According to an optimistic Bartlett, “The group represents a blend of the best minds in the tourism, business and legal fraternities, which will move Jamaica’s tourism industry to higher heights.”
“This team, which includes the heads of the world’s two most successful hotel chains, as well as others who have made significant contributions to the development of the tourism industry, business and law, is expected to start working on a plan which, when implemented, should see the dawning of a new day for the industry,” said Bartlett.
The council’s terms of reference include the mapping and implementation of a long-term policy direction for the tourism sector. This must address global, regional and local issues affecting how the business operates and the policy is expected to determine how to forge appropriate partnerships and strategic alliances.
The diversification of Jamaica’s tourist offerings is also part of the council’s mandate as it will be expected to come up with strategies to expand source markets, drive growth in the sector and also identify a sustainable source of funding to support marketing and airlift programmes.
The initiative followed stinging criticisms from several hoteliers of the performance of the Jamaica Tourist Board.
The new Tourism Advisory Council will meet for the first time early in the New Year.
