Mureen James shines in Berlin with two global hospitality honours

Berlin, Germany:

Jamaican tourism executive Mureen James stood among some of the most influential figures in global tourism in Berlin on Tuesday as she accepted two honours at the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards, held during the global travel trade exhibition ITB Berlin.

James, executive director of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, received the PATWA award for Excellence in Hospitality in the Caribbean and also accepted an award recognising the Montego Bay Convention Centre for its continued leadership in the region’s meetings and conventions sector.

Her recognition placed her among a distinguished group of global tourism leaders honoured during the ceremony.

Sharing the spotlight were several influential female figures in the tourism industry, including The Bahamas’s Latia Duncombe, Grenada’s Janelle Hopkin, Anguilla’s Stacy Liburd, and Europe’s Alessandra Priante.

Among the male honorees were the Seychelle’s Alain St Ange, the Himalayan’s Damcho Rinzin, InterCaribbean Airline’s Trevor Sadler, and India’s Vikram Cotah.

For James, the recognition marks another milestone in a career that has helped position Jamaica as a leader in the Caribbean’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector.

RESPECTED FIGURE

Under her leadership, the Montego Bay Convention Centre has established itself as one of the premier venues for international meetings and large-scale events in the English-speaking Caribbean, earning the World Travel Awards title of Caribbean’s Leading Meeting and Conference Centre 15 times.

James’ experience spans a wide range of events – from high-profile weddings and corporate meetings to major international conferences and destination events – making her a respected figure in both regional and global hospitality circles.

She also holds a master’s degree in marketing and data analytics from The University of the West Indies, equipping her with the analytical and strategic tools to guide the convention centre’s continued growth in an increasingly competitive global meetings industry.

James said the recognition reflects not only her own journey in hospitality but also the dedication of the team behind the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

The awards ceremony formed part of the PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit, staged alongside ITB Berlin – widely regarded as the world’s largest travel trade show and a major gathering point for tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.

For James, standing among some of the industry’s most influential figures underscored both the global reach of tourism and Jamaica’s growing influence within it.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com