‘Global’ candidates among applicants for BTMI top spot

The search for a new Chief Executive Officer at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has begun and the response has been overwhelming.

Word of this has come from Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins, who gave the assurance that the crème de la crème of the applicants will be selected, from prospective candidates from the global search.

She said the hunt for a new BTMI boss came at a time when the marketing agency and the entire country were “challenged” due to the lack of a vibrant global travel and tourism industry.

Cummins was addressing a ceremony on Friday to mark the relaunch of the Barbados brand and the official re-opening of the destination to international commercial travel.

“For the BTMI as an agency, it has been a particularly challenging moment in time. Yet we are undergoing a global recruitment process, spanning just a few weeks, but we have seen close to 155 applications from all around the world,” said Cummins, without saying how many of those applications were from locals.

“Our search for the best in global team to lead the BTMI tells us on the basis of the results we have seen so far, that we must recruit the best in class, we must create the appropriate environment where the persons we recruit can thrive in service to destination Barbados,” added Cummins.

The headhunt for a new CEO followed the resignation of long-time tourism stalwart Petra Roach last month, who was acting in the position for about six months.

Roach has been named as the new head of the Grenada Tourism Authority.

Prior to Roach’s departure, another tourism stalwart, William Billy Griffith, served as the BTMI CEO. He resigned effective December 31, 2019 after serving in the post from 2014.

Both Roach and Griffith have been credited with leading major increases in visitor arrivals to Barbados during their tenure. (MM)