Black Meetings and Tourism

September / October 2022

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B M & T ••• September/October 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 36 C A R I B B E A N C O R N E R BAHAMIAN BARRISTER TO LEAD TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD Bahamian attorney-at-law Joy Jibrilu, former Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. Jibrilu, who started her new role on August 22, replaced the retiring Fred Lounsberry, longtime CEO of the Board. She will be the first woman and Bahamian to head the Promotion Board. "This is a tremendous opportunity to utilize my passion for the destina- tion and help drive its continued growth. We have an incredible prod- uct here in both Nassau and Paradise Island that I know very well, and I look forward to working closely with our hotel and resort partners, as well as the board itself, for its continued success," she said. Jibrilu was appointed Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in May 2014. Prior to this she served as the Director of Investments in the Bahamas Investment Authority, Office of the Prime Minister, from July 2008. Before joining the Public Service of The Bahamas, Jibrilu lived and worked in West Africa and the United Kingdom. During Lounsberry's tenure, Nassau and Paradise Island saw the opening of new resorts such as Baha Mar and M a r g a r i t a v i l l e Beach Resort, as well as major enhancements at Atlantis Paradise Island, Sandals Royal Bahamian, and other proper- ties. In 2019, Nassau Paradise Island welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors. "I've had an incredible experi- ence working closely with our hotel partners, board members, and the government of The Bahamas to help drive unprecedented success for the destination over the course of these past 17 years," said Lounsberry. "I leave knowing the Promotion Board is in great hands with Joy Jibrilu, who is a fantastic leader." COMPANY TO POLISH NEW "GEMS" IN DOMINICA The GEMS Foundation Board (from left): Ronson Dalrymple, Katie Julien, Dr. Genora Joseph (Chairperson), Jael Joseph, and Lizra Fabien. Dominica, known as "The Nature Island" of the Caribbean, is stepping up its efforts to deliver a truly unspoiled Caribbean product, with a world-class hospitality experience to boot. On the heels of Secret Bay being named Travel + Leisure's No. 1 Resort Hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas, its parent company is setting up initiatives to uplift tourism and linkage sectors. The launch of a new hospitality school is undoubtedly the highlight. Led by Dominica-born Gregor Nassief, GEMS Holdings Limited has launched two new philanthropic efforts – GEMS Found- ation and GEMS Hospitality School, to reflect the company's focus on combining environmental consciousness with a commit- ment to delivering authentic, life-enriching experiences. The impact-driven, Caribbean-based company has a long history of making a pos- itive social and environmental impact on

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