REACTING TO criticisms that recent changes made to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) were to facilitate the interest "of a special few," chairman of the Sandals group of hotels, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, has said that it was a step in the right direction.
In a statement yesterday, the Sandals boss said while the changes "must not be viewed as a panacea for all the ills of the industry," the appointments should be viewed as "the first step in a long process to bring accountability and a new attitude to the management of our tourism affairs."
"The new members bring the energy, experience, industry knowledge and marketing skills that the tourist board needs at this time," Mr. Stewart said. "As such, the changes offer a new opportunity for refocusing the JTB and holding it responsible to its core duty of making the brand name Jamaica appealing in the marketplace."
Mr. Stewart's comments were a direct response to charges by small tourism industry players, that their representatives were booted as directors of the JTB in favour of large sector players. This was triggered by Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) president Josef Forstmayr's decision, last week, to name Zein Issa-Nakash from SuperClubs, Frank Rance from FDR resort, Chris Zacca from Air Jamaica and John Lynch from Sandals to join Paul Pennicooke, CEO of Couples resort as the JHTA representatives on the JTB.
They replace Michael Campbell from the U-Drive sector, Vana Taylor, villas and apartments, David Lindo attractions and Mr. Forstmayr himself.
But, Mr. Stewart sought to allay those fears.
"The JTB and the stronger players in the industry must look out for and protect the interests of the smaller and weaker players," he said. "Our focus must now be on building 'Team Jamaica', nothing else."
The Sandals boss notes that "it is full time that we agree on a long-term national approach, which provides a clear and certain direction for the industry regardless of the outcome of the next elections."
"A critical first step in this regard, according to Mr. Stewart, should be agreement on a three-year tourism budget cycle, as well agreement on a broad based policy to integrate tourism in community development." And in a comment obviously meant to show that he bears no malice towards the tourism ministry, Mr. Stewart adds that "The Minister of Tourism should be commended for recognising the crisis facing the industry and for taking steps to reform the JTB."
"In the final analysis, we all have a common interest in building one country and a tourism product that is strong and attractive," he said. "In this regard, distinctions between small and large hotels, all inclusives and European Plan hotels, must become things of the past.
Whereas it is true that the all-inclusives have driven Jamaica's name in the marketplace for the last several years, it is vital that we now find common cause in building one industry.
