Thu | Oct 17, 2024

Robin Russell re-elected JHTA president for 3rd term

Structural review tabled for approval

Published:Thursday | October 17, 2024 | 12:07 AM
From left; Joy Roberts, executive director, Jamaica Vacations; Camille Needham, executive director, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA); Robin Russell, JHTA president; Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism; and Donovan White, director of tourism,
Contributed
From left; Joy Roberts, executive director, Jamaica Vacations; Camille Needham, executive director, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA); Robin Russell, JHTA president; Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism; and Donovan White, director of tourism, at the JHTA’s annual general meeting on Saturday, October 12 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. Russell was re-elected president for a third term.

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has re-elected hotelier Robin Russell as president for a third term. The vote took place during the association’s 63rd annual general meeting held on October 12 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Russell, general manager of Deja Resorts in Montego Bay, expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their continued trust. “I thank you for your vote of confidence,” Russell stated, affirming his commitment to the sustained development of Jamaica’s hospitality and tourism industry. He added: “The JHTA will continue to collaborate with allied agencies to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism industry flourishes for the benefit of all Jamaicans.”

The newly-elected council was bolstered again by familiar leadership for 2024-25, which includes Christopher Jarrett as first vice-president; Vana Taylor, second vice-president; Karen Lanigan,third vice-president; and Kyle Mais, fourth vice-president.

During the meeting, Wayne Cummings elaborated on proposed structural changes within the JHTA, which include recategorising and defining member categories to better support the proposed new structure; election of officers to ensure the Association’s primary purpose is well-represented by a diverse range of individuals; revisiting the tenure of elected officers to enhance governance; redrawing the numbered chapters to better reflect the current and future realities of Jamaica’s tourism landscape; and revising head office functions to better support the JHTA’s evolving role and strategic direction.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who addressed the meeting, projected a significant increase in global tourism activity, forecasting that the number of travellers will rise from 1.4 billion to 1.5 billion next year. “In the next 10 to 20 years, nearly three billion people are expected to be travelling all over the world,” Bartlett stated. “Jamaica must position itself to attract these travellers and ensure they are well received.”

He also urged continued collaboration and cohesive messaging to “collectively embrace the need for a rally to recover and excel from the disruption of COVID-19, emphasising the success of Jamaica’s growth in tourism ... . If we ignore aviation, we market at our own peril”.