Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1459281
CARIBBEAN CORNER DR. R. KENNETH ROMER NAMED DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has appointed Dr. R. Kenneth Romer as Deputy Director General, filling the senior post in the Ministry's lead- ership team after Ms. Latia Duncombe was selected as Acting Director General. Dr. Romer has held a leadership position within the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism since 2019, serving as Executive Director overseeing airlift, cruise, yachting, vis- itor safety, sites and facilities, quality assurance, as well as brand manage- ment, research and statistics, guest serv- ices and special projects. He is a member of the Bahamas Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee as well as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, among others. "Dr. Romer brings deep expertise across critical sectors that will be invaluable as he steps into this important role," said Deputy Prime Minister the Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "He is no stranger to the Ministry team, and will no doubt continue to make significant contributions as we bring our country back to pre-pandemic prosperity and growth." Over the past 25 years, Dr. Romer has served in senior level executive roles in both the private and public sectors throughout The Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, spanning key sectors across aviation, tourism and hospitality, as well as corporate and civic communities. "This is a pivotal turning point for tourism, and I look for- ward to helping our great nation rebound and recover," said Dr. Romer. "While the past two years have been a challenge, I'm confident in the path forward and am thrilled to bring my expertise to our country as Deputy Director General." Dr. Romer holds a Doctorate Degree with specializations in Leadership and Organizational Management as well as academic and professional credentials from Harvard University, University of The Bahamas, University of The West Indies, Cornell University, James Madison University, among others. He holds specialized certifications in both Contract and Aviation Laws; FAA Private Pilot; Human Resources Management; Executive Leadership; Educational Leadership; Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Management; Creating Innovative Business Models, and Infrastructural PPPs, among others. The recipient of numerous leadership awards, he continues to serve his country through many civic, community and statutory appointments. Dr. Romer is married to his wife Crystal and has two chil- dren, Kenedee and Harper. GOVERNMENTS ASKED TO ALIGN ISOLATION PERIODS FOR TRAVELERS WITH NEW U.S. AND U.K. CRITERIA The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has asked the region's government leaders to reduce the iso- lation periods for travelers to align with the United Kingdom and the United States to avoid reversing the progress made by the tourism sector since the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the Caribbean's most important economic driver. In a letter to Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, outgoing Chairman of CARICOM (Caribbean C o m m u n i t y ) , CHTA President Nicola Madden- Greig noted that both the U.K. and the U.S. are reduc- ing the isolation period for COVID- positive persons. The revised U.S. protocol allows for five days and the U.K. for seven days' c o n f i n e m e n t . Presently, some Caribbean jurisdic- tions require as many as 14 days in isolation. The data no longer substanti- ates that length of time, which presents unnecessary financial and personal hardship to residents, visitors, destinations and companies and increasingly will deter travel. CHTA recom- mends a seven-day period, according to Madden-Greig. While the Omicron variant is highly contagious, she said, it caused only a "low level of severe illness requiring hospital- ization, and a low death rate and has proven to be particularly less virulent for those who are vaccinated." Accordingly, the B M & T ••• March/April 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 38