Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Editorial
September 3, 2013

Kudos to Dr Wykeham McNeill

WE have, from time to time in this space, unapologetically criticised politicians for their missteps and shortcomings which we believed were potentially injurious to the nation. We have also unreservedly given credit where it is due.

Happily, we are again in a position to give fulsome praise to a politician and government minister, Dr Wykeham McNeill, the minister of tourism, whose recent election as chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Executive Council for 2014-2015 is international recognition of the outstanding job he has been doing in Jamaica’s all-important tourism industry.

Politics and public service are in Dr McNeill’s DNA, so it’s no surprise that he followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr Ken McNeill, a former People’s National Party Cabinet minister. After studying medicine in Cuba in 1983, the young medical practitioner worked in hospitals in St Ann’s Bay, Spanish Town, and at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Kingston Public Hospital in the capital city.

A co-founder of the Clinic of Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, Dr McNeill has worked with national teams in several sports, notably with the Reggae Boyz, and was a member of the medical team to the Olympic Games in Athens. He served as a member of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control from 1994-1997 and was chairman of the Sports Development Foundation from 1995 to 2000. He has been member of parliament for western Westmoreland since 1997, and first held ministerial office in 2000 as a junior minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, now the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, with responsibility to directly oversee tourism operations, including cruise shipping and tourism development.

Dr McNeill was appointed the minister of tourism in January 2012 and the industry has flourished during his tenure, as is evident in the increases in tourist arrival and the earning of vital foreign exchange.

The industry has been stabilised despite harsh economic conditions in the main countries of origin for visitors to Jamaica. A number of new initiatives have been undertaken, including improved airlift to the island both in seats and the range of originating destinations. His Achilles heel is the overtaxation of the industry, which, we are aware, is not entirely his fault.

Dr McNeill is well liked by friend and political foe alike for his calm, affable manner and his willingness to listen to stakeholders in the tourism industry. These qualities, together with his intelligence and evident experience in tourism, have been recognised by his colleagues in the UNWTO.

In typically understated tone, he stated that the appointment is a reflection of the stature and esteem that Jamaica enjoys in world leadership circles and respect with which our tourism industry is viewed globally.

Maybe, as in the case of so many other prominent Jamaicans, it is only after international recognition that we fully appreciate the achievements of locally resident Jamaicans. Dr McNeill’s quiet demeanour has not garnered him the media attention commanded by some of his more vocal political colleagues, but his performance as minister of tourism deserves far more recognition.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Jabari Matheson set for fourth 400m in two days at World U20 Championships
Latest News, Sports
Jabari Matheson set for fourth 400m in two days at World U20 Championships
August 6, 2026
OREGON, USA -- Jabari Matheson will run his fourth 400m over the first two days of the World Athletics Under 20 Championships when he lines up in the ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Able Mills in two finals at U20 Championships
Latest News, Sports
Able Mills in two finals at U20 Championships
August 6, 2026
OREGON, USA -- Jamaica’s Able Mills will contest back-to-back finals on Thursday’s second day of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at Hayward...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News, Videos
Market Bag: ‘Auntie Bev’ shares old-time market wisdom as prices fluctuate
August 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica celebrates Independence Day, this week’s episode of Market Bag takes a nostalgic trip through Coronation Market, where ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump signs order targeting ‘birth tourism’
International News, Latest News
Trump signs order targeting ‘birth tourism’
August 6, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday made another attempt to curb birthright citizenship, signing an ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Know your costs, maintain your standards JN Bank advises agribusinesses
Latest News, News
Know your costs, maintain your standards JN Bank advises agribusinesses
August 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Agribusiness operators, including agro-processors and manufacturers, are being encouraged to pay close attention to their producti...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Rytikal leads all-star dancehall line-up on explosive ‘Surato Juggling Medley Mix’
Entertainment, Latest News
Rytikal leads all-star dancehall line-up on explosive ‘Surato Juggling Medley Mix’
August 6, 2026
Dancehall star Rytikal is setting the pace for one of the summer's most energetic releases, leading an all-star cast of deejays on the adrenaline-fuel...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Plas Moon introduces More Love More Life to Jamaica with soulful debut
Entertainment, Latest News
Plas Moon introduces More Love More Life to Jamaica with soulful debut
August 6, 2026
Having recently made Jamaica her permanent home, singer-songwriter Plas Moon is introducing herself to local audiences with her new album, More Love M...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Kaylyn pays tribute to Jamaica’s cultural roots with ‘Linstead Party’
Entertainment, Latest News
Kaylyn pays tribute to Jamaica’s cultural roots with ‘Linstead Party’
August 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Every year, the days leading up to Emancipation Day and Independence Day are filled with reminders of what it means to be Jamaican. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct