Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) has appointed industry veteran Jens Thraenhart as the tourist board’s new chief executive.
Thraenhart (pictured), who has worked in the industry for 26 years, will assume his new role on November 1.
He has experience in global tourism strategy having worked for the Canadian Tourism Commission, 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).
Barbados Tourism Marketing said Thraenhart’s 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 pandemic era of global tourism”.
Chairman Roseanne Myers said: “The team at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc has done a great job of reopening markets, using their knowledge and experience and established trade relationships.
“We believe 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 pandemic, a much stronger, high-performing destination marketing company that brings increased benefit to our industry and the wider economy.
“We undertook the challenge to find the best candidate for the chief executive position to help shape the way forward, and we are exceptionally pleased to have done so, after a thorough and transparent process.”