Caribbean tourism development & Former LIAT Chairman, Dr Jean Holder dies at 85

Caribbean: Former Chairman of the regional airline LIAT, Dr Jean Holder, died on Tuesday at the age of 85. He was also known as the father of Caribbean tourism development, as he gave precious 30 years of his life to foster the sector and get the region recognition at the international level. 

He led the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) for three decades with his exceptional leadership skills. Dr Holder was hired in September 1974 to guide the just established Caribbean Tourism Research and Development Centre (CTRC), during where he proposed a brilliant idea to constitute a regional development agency that worked in the ‘field of tourism’.  

Caribbean leaders expressed their grief and condolences to the family members of Dr holder. Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, asserted, “Barbados and the region would continue to owe this soft-spoken, always confident, forever reassuring son of the Caribbean Sea a debt of gratitude“.   

“I am truly saddened at the passing of my dear friend and guide. He was the among the pillars of our region’s tourism sector who breathed life into the Caribbean tourism development, which today makes the region the world’s most recognised tourism destination“.  

CTO council of ministers and commissioners of tourism also extended their prayers and condoled over the demise of Dr holder, adding that he will be missed forever and remain in the heart of everyone for the commendable job he had done. 

The aim behind this idea was to build and grow the tourism and economy of the region. Caribbean tourism would not have been at the place where it is today without the significant contributions and devotion of Dr Holder. The man had different plans for the tourism of the region. After retiring from CTO, Dr holder held the position of LIAT Caribbean airlines Chairman till the year 2019.