McNeill expects detrimental effect

Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill says the resignation of the board of directors of the Jamaica Tourist Board will have a detrimental effect on the winter tourist season, which is less than a month away.



Dr McNeill is calling for the Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, to inform the nation of the current state of the tourist industry and the projections and plans for the upcoming tourist season.



Yesterday, a release from the tourism ministry stated that the members of the board decided to resign following discussions about the recently concluded World Travel Market in London and the challenges currently facing the tourism sector.



According to Mr Bartlett the board acknowledged that given the turbulence facing tourism worldwide, it cannot be business as usual and it was evident to them that different strengths were now needed to move Jamaica’s tourism forward.



Dr McNeill believes the JTB board was forced to resign.



He claims the board resigned over a disagreement with a reported intention to hire John Lynch, who up to yesterday chaired the board as its executive chairman.



He says any such move would not be good for the sector.