Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, The Honourable Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, has announced the appointment of Vernon A. Jeffers Sr. as the new Chair of the Board of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), effective February 2023. Jeffers succeeds Dr. Lorraine Raeburn who served as the Chairman from January 2018 – January 2023.
Jeffers previously served as a Board Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. A past Executive Chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association (ABHTA), he is a tourism veteran and has worked in the hospitality industry for the past 25 years, with a career that has seen him hold several managerial positions at hotels within Antigua and Barbuda. Jeffers is presently the Managing Partner of Jewels Management & Consultancy lnc. which is primarily a resort management company.
In announcing the appointment of Jeffers, Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Charles Fernandez, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Jeffers as Chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. We have full confidence in his ability to lead the team at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. Jeffers brings a wealth of experience that will be called on, as the organisation moves through this pivotal and exciting period of regaining growth in the cruise, yachting, and stayover arrivals, expanding into new markets and promoting Antigua and Barbuda’s vital tourism industry.”
Jeffers said, “It is an honour to not only be asked to return to the Board of the Antigua Barbuda Tourism Authority, but this time around to return as the Chair of the ABTA.
“As we look at the competitive landscape, and examine closely how we market Antigua and Barbuda, not only must we continue to engage our traditional partners, but we as a Board must ensure that the CEO and his team have the resources to continue to drive the marketing effort, with digital marketing playing an even more significant role in the market mix. I look forward to ensuring that the tools and a unified marketing strategy, brings about increased airlift and stay-over visitors, due to improved returns on marketing spends”, said the ABTA Chair.
As a Non-Executive Chair of the ABTA, Vernon A. Jeffers Sr. along with other Board members, will be responsible for overseeing the development of policies and strategies designed to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as a world-class tourism and travel destination and achieve continued growth in tourism arrivals.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Board Members are: Vernon A. Jeffers Sr. – Chair, Alan Hosam - Deputy Chair, Walter Christopher - Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Tourism, Rasona Davis-Crump - Financial Secretary – Ministry of Finance, Colin C. James – CEO – Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Nicole Mathurin – Director, Hilary Ambrose – Director, Arlene Edwards – Director and Celia Roberts-Morgan – Director.
