JTB staff throw welcome back party for director of tourism
Although Basil Smith takes up his new job as director of tourism this Wednesday, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) staff members couldn’t wait to throw him a welcome back party Friday night in Kingston.
Here, Smith is surrounded by some of the ladies with whom he worked when he was deputy director of tourism from 1995-1997. Some are no longer at the JTB. However, it was felt that the party could not have been a success without them.
Smith, a Jamaican, was chosen from a field of almost 40 applicants who responded to advertisements placed locally and overseas for a replacement for Paul Pennicook who opted not to renew his contract.
Smith is returning to the JTB after serving as senior director, communications worldwide for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and has many years of tourism and marketing experience.
His appointment has been welcomed by the tourism sector and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
“Basil brings the right experience and the respect of both the public and private sector to this important position,” JTB chairman Dennis Morrison said in a statement announcing Smith’s appointment in August. “In his capacity as director of tourism, he will lead the JTB as Jamaica’s tourism industry enters its next round of global expansion.”
The JLP’s spokesman on tourism, Edmund Bartlett, described Smith as an outstanding tourism marketer and administrator who “brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to his new job and will add great value to the marketing and advertising strategies of the (Jamaica Tourist) Board”.
The challenge for the new director, Bartlett said, will be to advance the development of the industry, which has proven a key foreign exchange earner for the island over the years.
“He comes at a time when the industry is poised to take off with significant expansion in accommodation and increased visitor arrivals. The challenge will be to ensure the quality development of the industry and increased earnings, as well as to broaden the base of participation by the Jamaican people in the industry,” Bartlett said.