Leaders will come and go. The role and nature of leadership often appears more glamourous and exciting than the reality of the position.
It has been argued that within the context of the work environment, the leader’s main challenge comes from external sources, problems within the workplace, and by the very nature of the leadership role.
The person in charge is expected to provide inspiration, as the team is often looking to the head for inspiration and motivation.
The leader is also relied on to guide change when the big audacious goals have been identified and basically handle difficult situations that will inevitably arise.
That is why the leader often gets the big bucks. The responsibilities land at his or her feet.
Therefore, when Dr. Jens Thraenhart was selected as the highly compensated chief executive officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated (BTMI) back in November 2021, it caused some measure of discussion with even an undercurrent of suspicion about him as the choice candidate and his ability to deliver on the expectations of Barbadians.
The tourism sector is this country’s lifeblood. As much as we have accepted that diversification is necessary, no other sector is as powerful in delivering the foreign exchange generation we require, as tourism is able to achieve.
For the doubters about the sector’s importance, one only has to recall tourism’s interconnectedness with the other economic sectors when the bottom fell out during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy nearly imploded.
With the exception of the international business sector, the other economic generators came to a virtual standstill because of their reliance on the tourism and hospitality sector.
Dr. Thraenhart came highly recommended. According to his impressive resume, he was Executive Director and CEO of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office where he built the private sector-led regional tourism board, Destination Mekong. He founded the Destination Film Forum and played a key role in the Global Alliance of Social Enterprises in Travel.
Dr. Thraenhart has advised global companies in the travel industry, holds a doctorate degree in tourism and hospitality management, a Master of Management in Hospitality, and a Bachelor of Science degree.
So, with all that, what went wrong with Dr Thraenhart and the BTMI after just one year and 10 months on the job? Who conducted his exit interview?
Why did the Barbadian public learn on VOB’s radio call-in programme from Travel Daily News Asia that Dr Thraenhart had left his BTMI post since last month and was reportedly joining the executive board of the African Asian Union (FAU).
According to the FAU’s homepage it was established in 2020 and aims to promote awareness of Africa and Asia, emphasising research and development of the continents’ culture and heritage. Special emphasis is placed on tourism, sustainable development, reducing poverty and unemployment.
Hours after listeners were informed of Dr Thraenhart’s new role, a release from government landed, indicating Dr Thraenhart and the BTMI had parted ways since mid-July and that a search was on again for a new CEO.
This is certainly not how the public ought to be treated, particularly when such a high-profile position is involved and given the controversy over his appointment in the first place, including his compensation package.
“We have reviewed the BTMI’s business and operations and strategy going forward, and we have agreed that the BTMI needs to go in a different direction to ensure the growth of Barbados tourism,” the BTMI statement read.
Does the public not require more information than this? Can we afford at this time to have such an important agency headed by a temporary boss for another extended period?
More important, should the BTMI and the Ministry not return to the source of proven success in the former acting head of the BTMI who offered her services to a regional neighbour after reportedly being overlooked for the top spot at home?
