| Former Sandals Group executive John Lynch is Jamaica's new Director of Tourism |
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| Thursday, 27 November 2008 12:30 |
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Former Sandals Group executive John Lynch is Jamaica's new Director of Tourism.
Mr. Lynch, who assumes office on December 1, will be responsible for day-to-day operations at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the country's global tourism marketing.
PHOTO LINK: http://www.radiojamaica.com/images/stories/john-lynch-again.gif He replaces Basil Smith who did not renew his contract which expired at the end of last month. Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, who announced Mr. Lynch's appointment on Tuesday night said the current environment required quick and decisive action to fill the post. Mr. Bartlett was quick to point out that Mr. Lynch's appointment was based on a recommendation from a selection panel which reviewed a short list of candidates. According to Wayne Cummings, Chairman of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Mr. Lynch is now faced with the task of keeping Jamaica's tourism industry afloat amidst the decline in the world travel market: "Immediately, he will have to deal with the redesigning of the JTB initiatives in the market place ... working with tour operators, travel agents, working with what I consider to be a limited budget which the minister himself has described as war time and war time requires additional resources and if we're not going to be able to achieve that, then he's (Mr. Lynch) going to have to be extremely creative working with his partners," he said. It is expected that Mr. Lynch will retain the post of Chairman of the Board of the JTB which suddenly resigned last week. Mr. Bartlett is to announce a new slate of Directors at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. PNP uncomfortable with Lynch holding dual posts And the People's National Party while welcoming Mr. Lynch's appointment says it is uncomfortable with him holding the dual role of Director of Tourism and Chairman of the JTB. According to Dr. Wykeham McNeil Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, this could affect accountability at the Board. "What I have mentioned to the Minister is that I would have a problem with is the appointment of somebody to both post of Director of Tourism and Chairman of JTB Board, in effect circumventing the system and allowing for an executive Chairman ... we would have a problem that with regards to the Tourist Board and the checks and balances and the accountability that are inherent in set up in the system as it presently stands," he said.
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