Jamaica Tourist Board 50 Years 1955-2005
“...sharing the Jamaican experience” — 50th Anniversary Exhibition Launch
Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 4:30 PM • Montego Bay Civic Center, Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay • 42 Photographs
About This Historic Gallery
Barry J. Hough Sr., publisher of the Negril Travel Guide, attended the Jamaica Tourist Board 50th Anniversary Exhibition Launch at the Montego Bay Civic Center, Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, on Thursday, December 15, 2005. The exhibition was scheduled for public viewing during much of January 2006, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Jamaica Tourist Board — Mission & Historical Background
Mission
“To develop and market the tourist industry so that Jamaica remains the premier Caribbean tourism destination.”
Background
Attempts to organize a bureau responsible for marketing Jamaica resulted in the formation of the Jamaica Tourist Association, a private-sector entity supported by the government, in 1910. Its primary purpose was to enhance the claims of the colony as a health and pleasure resort and provide reliable information to prospective visitors and those already holidaying on the island.
In 1922 the government started its direct intervention in the promotion of the industry and enacted laws that saw the establishment of the Tourist Trade Development Board. This entity and the Jamaica Tourist Association were amalgamated in 1926.
By the early 1950s it became evident that the island needed a much more effective organization with a greater scope of responsibility and operation. In 1954, the Tourist Trade Development Board was abolished and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), governed by the Tourist Board Act, was created. The Board came into being on April 1, 1955 and was financed by the Government of Jamaica.
In keeping with its mandate, the JTB maintained an international network of representatives and offices in key markets. In Jamaica, offices included Kingston, Montego Bay and Port Antonio. The Board of Directors set policy for the organization, while the Director of Tourism was responsible for day-to-day administration with the support of the organization’s management and marketing teams.
50th Anniversary Exhibition Programme
| Programme | Participant |
|---|---|
| Opening Remarks | Mr. Clive Taffe — Regional Director, JTB |
| Prayer | Bishop Charles Dufour — Blessed Sacrament Cathedral |
| Welcome | Councilor Cecil Davis — Deputy Mayor, Montego Bay |
| Greetings | Mr. Horace Peterkin — President, JHTA |
| Greetings | Mr. Mark Kerr-Jarrett — President, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce |
| Opening of Exhibition | Mr. Paul Pennicook — Director of Tourism |
50th Anniversary Exhibition Launch Photo Gallery
Showing 12 of 42 photographs