Three new faces are now on the Board of Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated while businesswoman Shelly Williams has been reappointed as Chairman.

The three new board members represent the major change to the Board of Directors of BTMI, the agency primarily responsible for marketing the nation’s vital tourism industry.

The newcomers to the board are Gayle Talma, also serving as deputy chairman, as well as Joann Roett; and Kevyn Yearwood.

The Directors retained from the previous Board are Shelly Williams, who continues to serve as Chairman; Rorrey Fenty; Terry Hanton; Sade Jemmott; Chiryl Newman; Ronnie Carrington; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism or nominee; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation or nominee; the Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association or nominee; and the Chairman of Intimate Hotels of Barbados or nominee.

The Tourism Minister, in announcing the first changes to the BTMI Board since taking up the portfolio less than a year ago said the move resulted from a promise publicly made to work hands-on with the BTMI, closely observing and evaluating all aspects of its operations, before making any changes.

He added that “With the inclusion of fresh blood, ideas and approaches, the intention is to bring about a certain innovation in the way the BTMI goes about doing future business at home and overseas.”

Mr. Gooding-Edghill said that is why in putting this new board together, he has deliberately maintained a judicious blend of those previously serving and the new, in order for the BTMI to benefit from institutional memory and the breaking of new ground.

The Tourism Minister says he looks forward to this action, together with the previous one that now has the BTMI vigorously recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer, along with other changes that will of necessity come about over time, keeping the BTMI institution always primed and equipped to meet the needs and expectations of the people of Barbados.