There is a new chief executive officer (CEO) at the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA).

She is Dr. Kerry Hall, an accomplished tourism consultant with more than 20 years experience in the industry. Her professional accomplishments include projects completed in several Caribbean countries on behalf of regional and international agencies, in collaboration with regional governments, national tourism organizations, national hotel and tourism associations and the private hospitality/ tourism sector.

She has also completed consultancy assignments with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Grenada Board of Tourism and the Barbados Ministry of Tourism.

She is also a former director of people development and training at the five-diamond Sandy Lane resort and previously served as chief tourism development officer at the Barbados Ministry of Tourism.

Dr. Hall, whose appointment takes effect on July 1, 2015, holds a B.Sc. in Management Studies from the UWI, Cave Hill, a M.Sc. in hotel and food service management from the Florida International University (FIU) and a Ph.D. in tourism history from the University of the West Indies (UWI) at Cave Hill. She also co-authored the book, “Island in the Sun: The Story of Tourism in Barbados“, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).

In welcoming Dr. Hall to the BTPA, Chairman Cecil Miller, commented that Dr. Hall would have gained valuable insight into the issues affecting Barbados’ tourism, including its product, during research and preparation of “The White Paper on the Development of Tourism in Barbados (2011-2021)“, which she authored. Dr. Hall’s mix of public and private sector tourism experience and her leadership capabilities ideally position her to lead this very important organization.

Her proven experience in approaches to product development, tourism marketing and promotion, and human resources development will be of tremendous value at the BTPA. We are therefore looking forward to her insight as we work toward developing new and exciting experiences for our visitors and setting new standards of excellence for our destination.”

Dr. Hall will take over from Lionel Weekes who has been advisor to the BTPA since the organization’s formation in September 2014.