Smith

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has confirmed that Director of Tourism Basil Smith will demit office in October.

The Gleaner first revealed on July 24 that Smith, who was appointed to head the JTB in November 2006, following the departure of Paul Pennicook, has taken the decision not to renew his current contract which expires in October.

"The tourism director has cited personal reasons for being unable to continue to serve in this capacity for a more protracted period," the JTB said yesterday in a release.

JTB Chairman John Lynch has expressed his thanks on behalf of the board, to Smith, for his leadership over the past three years, during what has been a turbulent period in tourism worldwide.

"Despite the challenges facing the industry worldwide, Jamaica has held its own in the region with preliminary estimates indicating that the island has already reached the one-million mark for tourist arrivals, due in large measure to the aggressive marketing strategy of the JTB," said Lynch.

New technologies

Smith is credited with making strides in adopting new technologies, utilising the Internet to enhance internal and external communications.

The JTB said use of the Tourism Information Publishing Site has been one of the tools he has utilised as part of his strategy.

"The completely new and innovative website that is to be launched in August will seek to further enhance the industry's interface with the consumer," the release read.

Under Smith's leadership, the JTB has also sought to build on the relationship with various partners to ensure the continued success of Jamaica's tourism.

According to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Smith must be commended for his devotion to duty.

"In my capacity as chief salesman, Basil has been a key member of my sales force and has ably served as the leader of the JTB team worldwide," Bartlett said. "He has worked assiduously to spread the message of the beauty and diversity of Jamaica across the globe. During his tenure as director of tourism, I have come to respect and admire his creativity, discipline and fortitude and wish for him every success in the future."

Smith, in his response, praised his team and thanked them for their support and commitment during his term in office. He challenged them to spend the next three months of his tenure working to achieve the targets set by the tourism minister.