Jens Thraenhart will assume charge as new chief executive of the Bahamas tourist board

Barbados: The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc – (BTMI) has appointed Jens Thraenhart as the next chief executive of the tourist board. He will assume charge from November 1. 

Thraenhart has worked in the tourism industry for more than 26 years. 

Chairman – Roseanne Myers cited that, “We undertook the challenge to find the best candidate for the chief executive position to assist in shaping the way forward, & we are exceptionally glad to have done so, after a thorough & a transparent process.”

He worked for the – Canadian Tourism Commission, which is now known as Destination Canada, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which is part of Accor. Currently, he serves on industry boards, including the Pacific Asia Travel Association – (Pata) and the – International Federation of IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT).

While on appointing the new chief executive, BTMI cited that, “This appointment will usher in a new era for the organisation as it becomes a more commercial marketing enterprise and reshapes operations to better compete in the new covid-19 pandemic era of global tourism“.  

On the other hand, Chairman Myers noted that the team of BTMI has done a great job of reopening markets by utilising their knowledge, experience and establishing trade relationships.

The Chairman further asserted, “We have a firm belief that coupled with Jens’ international tourism experience, proven track record in ‘strategy execution’ and entrepreneurial perspectives, the BTMI will emerge from this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, a much stronger, high-performing destination marketing company that brings increased benefit to our industry and the wider economy.” 

The functions of BTMI – 

BTMI functions include to – promote, assist and facilitating the efficient development of tourism; to designing as well as implementing suitable marketing strategies for the productive promotion of the tourism industry. 

BTMI make provision for adequate and suitable air and sea passenger transport services to and from Barbados, encourages the establishment of amenities & the facilities essential for the proper enjoyment of Barbados as a – tourist destination, to carry out market intelligence in order to inform the requirements of the tourism industry.