Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/70980
An aviation giant was lauded by the US Virgin Islands for US VIRGIN ISLANDS LEADERSHIP SALUTES AVIATION PIONEER his huge contribution to the regional airline, travel and hospi- tality industry. The invaluable contribution of retiring airline industry vet- eran, Peter Dolara of American Airlines (AA), to the devel- opment of tourismacross the territory and the region has been officially recognized by the leadership of theUSVirgin Islands. Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. thanked Dolara,American Airlines' senior vice president for Mexico, the Caribbean and LatinAmerica, for his commitment to the hospitality industry in theUSVirgin Islands for decades, as well as for his personal affection for the island of St.Croix. "We wanted to personally thank you for all that you have done," said Governor de Jongh who presented the airline vet- eran with a USVI-branded token of appreciation at AA's MiamiHeadquarters onMonday. efforts to sharpen the skills of industry stakeholders through training and customer service initiatives. They briefed Dolara on capital development projects to boost the tourism appeal of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, as well as efforts to stimulate future jobs and eco- nomic development activity with the closing of the HOV- ENSA oil refinery. Commissioner Nicholson-Doty recalled Dolara's per- sonal commitment to the territory and the wider Caribbean region. "Mr. Dolara saw the potential of the region as well as the contributions of territories like the USVI before many others and acted on it," she asserted. "Fortunately for us Mr. Dolara is a powerful and charismat- ic executive who was able to take the lead in laying down the aviation foundations of the Caribbean," she added, "and all of us in the territory and the region owe him a debt of gratitude." For more information about the USVI go to VisitUSVI.com. The Governor, and Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, updated theAmericanAirlines executive on tourism development plans across the territory as well as Pictured here are Dolara (left) with Commissioner Nicholson-Doty and Governor de Jongh Jr. at AA Headquarters inMiami. Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 27