GODFREY DYER – THE CONSUMMATE BOSS

AS PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) from 1983 to 1984, a time when the country was facing major foreign exchange problems, Godfrey Dyer assisted the Government in establishing and managing the Jamaica National Retained Account. This was a mechanism that played an essential role in addressing the concerns of the tourism industry and stabilising the Jamaican dollar.

The establishment of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, which he now chairs, owes much to his lobbying efforts. Currently, he is a director of the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

His work in tourism has won him several awards, including the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, and the Prime Minister’s Distinguished Award for Service. He was named Hotelier of the Year by the JHTA in 2002 and 2005.

A dedicated Kiwanian, Dyer is a recipient of the Robert F. Connelly Distinguished Award, the highest of the organisation’s international awards, and in 2002, he became president of the Kiwanis

International Foundation with head offices in the US and covering some 90 countries. He was the only person who was not a North American to hold that position, and his outstanding performance led the organisation to raise millions of dollars to assist children across the world suffering from iodine deficiency disorder.

Montego Bay is dear to Dyer’s heart. His love, loyalty and leadership are legendary. Recently, he was installed in the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Wall of Fame and also had a street named after him by the St James Municipal Corporation. He is a gentleman of true grit. Although it did cause him to make some adjustments, not even an unfortunate and devastating accident could take away his determination to serve and excel.

The JHTA Lifetime Achievement Award winner is a strong voice from the west who has served Jamaica well.

For a remarkable, multi-faceted contribution to Jamaica’s tourism development through inspired toplevel leadership, compelling advocacy, voluntarism and dedicated service in public sector, private sector and community over four decades, the JHTA takes great pleasure in presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to the man with a famous boulevard named in his honour, Mr Godfrey G. Dyer.

CONTRIBUTED JHTA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Godfrey Dyer (centre) presented with his award by JHTA President Omar Robinson and the association’s executive director, Camille Needham.

CONTRIBUTED From left: Evelyn Smith, past president, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA); Mike Fennel, Abe Issa Award for Excellence recipient; Grace Morrison, marketing and corporate communications manager, NMIA, and recipient of the Allied Member of the Year Award; Louis Grant, Lifetime Achievement awardee; Kadeen Black, front-desk agent, Sandals Montego Bay, and Hotel Employee of the Year; Omar Robinson, president, JHTA; Martin Zsifkovics, managing director, Austrojam, and Purveyor of the Year; Angelita McDonald, entertainment supervisor, Deja Resort, and Hotel Manager/Supervisor of the Year; Godfrey Dyer, chairman, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Lifetime Achievement awardee; Karen Jones, deputy general manager, VIP Attractions, Club Kingston, and Tourism Employee of the Year; Wayne Cummings, group commercial director, Sandals Resorts, accepting award for Hotelier of the Year on behalf of Gerald Christ, general manager, Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort; Kevin Hendrickson, awardee for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in Jamaica, and Camille Needham, executive director, JHTA.