Tourism sector turns out to celebrate the life of Carolyn Wright

Rondel Village’s Carolyn Wright’s contribution to Jamaica’s tourism industry spanned two decades, both in the private and public spheres.

She was a dedicated member of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), representing the Negril Chapter as a councillor from 2001 until 2016, and serving as the chairperson for five years. She also served as a member of the association’s marketing committee between 2001 and 2004.

Wright also represented the JHTA at a regional level as one of Jamaica’s board members of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association from 2014 to 2016 and 2018-2019.

During a thanksgiving service for Wright at the Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church in Negril two weekends ago, former President of the JHTA, Evelyn Smith, in a soul-stirring tribute said, “Carolyn was a very supportive and valuable member of the JHTA who participated fully in the activities of the association at all levels. She could always be relied on to keep us abreast of what was happening and to provide us with important feedback on issues. Carolyn was the type of member that every association would love to have”.

Smith added that few would understand the dedication it takes to travel from Negril to Kingston to attend early-morning board meetings, and she had the privilege to travel with Wright on many of those treks between 2011 and 2016.

“I valued the opportunity to talk and gain her perspectives on various issues relating to tourism, as well as tourism’s role and responsibility in our society.”

In Negril, Wright’s reach was strong and vibrant. Throughout her decades of service, she served on a wide range of committees – Spring Break, Negril events, area marketing, beach regeneration, to name a few. As chapter chair, she worked on a joint marketing programme with the Chamber of Commerce which engaged members in marketing workshops, developed packages highlighting ‘Negril Carnival’, ‘Spring Break’, ‘Summer Madness’, the ‘Negril Triathalon’, and ‘Reggae Marathon’; and also resulted in positive media, including a Travel Channel feature.

Wright Smith said that she worked with her on the vision that Negril should be allowed to host the JAPEX (Jamaica Product Exchange) too and galvanised support from large and small players, locally and internationally, to host the event, the first and only time in 2006.

As area chairman, Wright was an advocate for “doing right” by Negril. She understood that the responsibility of an area chairman and was to be vocal on issues impacting the area, engaged the membership in programmes for their betterment, while ensuring communication flow from the JHTA national body to the area.

She advocated on many issues, from security, beach regeneration, resort beautification, escalating utility costs and property taxes, horses on the beach and noise. She never hesitated to first speak or meet with the relevant authority, then write, and, if necessary, speak with the media.

Wright also extended her spirit of service to the Negril Chamber of Commerce and for many years was a director of that organisation.

Carolyn Wright will be missed. Hospitality Jamaica brings highlights of the service celebrating her life.