Celebrating Tourism…The Labourer Receives His Reward
This past month we celebrated National Heroes Day. It is, as we all know
a time when Jamaica pauses to recognise and celebrate our own local
heroes through the conferment of national Civil Honours. Our own
Chairman of TEF Godfrey Dyer and Permanent Secretary (MOT)
Mrs. Jennifer Griffith were honoured with the Order of Jamaica for
Exceptional contribution in the Field of Tourism and the Order of Distinction
in the rank of Commander (CD) for contribution to the Tourism Industry
respectively. Other tourism pioneers that were honoured included Ruth
Hussey of Terra Nova for outstanding contribution to the hotel industry,
Mr. John Mullen, retired Apple Vacations Executive and Mr. William Le
Macchia both for outstanding contribution to the tourism industry, in
particular overseas marketing and tour operation. Mr. George Weston for
service to the Tourism Industry, John Byles of Chukka Caribbean
Adventure fame for contribution to Travel and Leisure Tourism; Johnny
Gourzong Co-Founder of Sumfest, the world’s greatest reggae show and
River Rafting Ltd. (Rafting on the Martha Brae) all received Orders of
Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD). The Badge of Honour for Long and
Faithful Service went to Renvil Nicholson for service to Tourism and
Community Service, while the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service
went to Michael Young for contribution to the Montego Bay Red Cap
Porters Association for the past 51 years.
These achievements are worth repeating and we congratulate our
pioneers, indeed these stalwarts who have laid the foundation and
continue to serve Jamaica’s premier sector tirelessly and with panache.
It was heart-warming to see the Most Honourable Prime Minister and Mrs.
Holness, several other Ministers of Government, Senators, the Speaker of
the House and other honourees such as the illustrious Grace Jones, US
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and mom, former Councilwoman Una
Clarke, Barbara Blake Hanna, previous awardees Dr. Carole Guntley and
Robert Russell gracing the Pegasus where a special luncheon was held in
their honour, by Tourism’s Chief Host and Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett. I
was inspired when Renvil Nicholson shared with me his journey from a Bus
Boy to Food and Beverage Manager at Sea Gardens. It was indeed a
proud moment for all.
In this issue of TPDConnect we share with you pictorial highlights of this special luncheon for these Tourism Honourees, plus
two events where we said farewell to outstanding TPDCo-ites, Charles Scarlett and Bernadette Maxfield. Our 2017 TSEA
winner in the organizational category jetted off with his wife to Sandals Barbados and Antigua as part of his prize;
recycling is on the agenda for our Spruce Up Jamaica Programme in West Rural St. Andrew; our VSE “Treat Our Visitors Right
Campaign” is up and running and team members were “Out and About” from ZOSO to ICCD. During the period we also
commemorated Tourism Awareness Week under the theme “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”, we meet Monique
Williams and there is so much more inside this edition.
Feast and let us have your feedback. Send to [email protected] and in the words of my favourite Aristotle, remember “It
is well to be up before day break; for such habits contribute to health, wealth and wisdom.” So rise early, stay strong, be
wise and make a difference in TPDCo and to Jamaica land we love.
One Love, Marline