JTB bids farewell to Margaret Jones

AFTER TWO DECADES OF SERVICE

It was a bittersweet soirée for Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) staff and well- wishers who gathered at the Sea Gardens Beach Resort, Montego Bay, recently to bid farewell to one of Jamaica’s finest tourism professionals, Margaret Eleanor Jones.

Jones, who served the JTB in the capacity of visitor relations manager for 20 years, is heading into retirement after making a yeoman’s contribution to Jamaica’s tourism sector.

The two-hour event, in which the affable Jones was lauded for her work, was filled with laughter and warm conversations intertwined with gifts, hugs, smiles, and kisses from everyone, including her coworkers, who shared the view that their outgoing boss has a personality that brightens up any room and was a trendsetter in fashion, dancing, industry knowledge, and how to get things done with efficiency.

Those who paid tribute to Jones spoke of her attention to detail and her capacity to turn ugly situations around. They also highlighted her astuteness in managing her staff, visitors, and Jamaicans alike with the underlining theme, “we are the standard by which all other entities are judged”.

A citation from the JTB, read by western regional director Odette Dyer, detailed Jones’ contribution to the sector in ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of all visitors to the island since she joined the agency on April 20, 1998.

The citation in part read: “Margaret Jones’ strong organisational skills are undoubtedly the fruits of her training as a secondary school teacher. During her tenure at the JTB, she gained a reputation for her professionalism and competence in the execution of her duties. Her response to challenging and potentially explosive complaints from individuals and groups, whether locally of internationally, has helped to place the Jamaica Tourist Board at the forefront of all other tourist boards. The JTB has garnered many international accolades as the preferred institution to contact where there is a touristrelated crisis.”

Tourism Director Donovan Whyte, in his tribute to Jones, assured her that if she ever felt the need to return, he would be the first person to endorse that move. “You have certainly left large shoes, which will be difficult to fill and we thank you wholeheartedly for your 20 years of great contribution to Jamaica, the tourism industry, and the JTB,” he told her.

In her usual high-spirited, fun, and people-friendly manner, Jones thanked the JTB, Jamaica, and her team members from various arms of government for the opportunity to serve and for the support that she received over the two decades.

Recounting a number of incidents that occurred during her stint at the JTB, Jones pointed out that she cried for herself only once during her 20 years at the JTB when she found herself chasing a guest in the swamp on the compound of the former MoBay Hope.

This brought howls of laughter from the attendees, who, despite commiserating, all wore a look of appreciation for Jones, who earned a Members of staff of the Jamaica Tourist Board who came out at the bon voyage function for their outgoing boss, Margaret Jones, who retires from the agency after 20 years of service. Pictured from left to right are Candesa Cassanova, Carlene Moore, Jerron Briton, Sharon Williams, Marsha Roberts, Afiya Henry, and Kacia Whilby, who served on the team led by Margaret

Jones. reputation for calling them at odd hours of the night and day, driving fast in order to reach a destination to resolve a crisis of just to ensure that everyone was reading the same book and from the same page.

Jones recalled that there were points when she questioned if her decision to take on the position of visitor relations manager was a good one, but in her words “the positives far outweighed the negatives, and I learnt quickly that my job was important to the visitor experience and that the need for networking was paramount. I thank you all for supporting me in my every move. I see the growth and development of a number of people in the industry, and today, I can proudly say, Jamaica’s tourism sector is the very

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Director of Tourism Donovan Whyte (left) gives Margaret Jones a warm embrace as he expresses thanks to her for 20 years of sterling service to the Jamaica Tourist Board. Jones, who was visitor relations manager at the JTB, demits office shortly on retirement.

Shernette Crichton (left) of the Half Moon presents a token to Margaret Jones during an appreciation function at Sea Gardens Beach Resort in Montego Bay on Saturday August 25.

Former western regional director of the Jamaica Tourist Board J. Rosie Johnson shares her experience of working with Margaret Jones.

Canadian Consulate to Jamaica Lillian Crichton (left) was on hand to share lens time with Margaret Jones and wish her a fond farewell.

Director of Tourism Donovan Whyte and Western Regional Director at the Jamaica Tourist Board Odette Dyer share a photo opportunity during the appreciation function staged in honour of Margaret Jones.

General Manager of the Round Hill Hotel Omar Robinson makes a presentation to Margaret Jones as she demits office as Visitor Relations Manager at the Jamaica Tourist Board, JTB.