BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION DIRECTOR GENERAL JOY JIBRILU HONORED WITH CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION’S ALLIED AWARD

 Jibrilu became the first Bahamian member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization to receive the Allied Award for sustainable development at Caribbean Week New York

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 8, 2018)– Last night during the Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Dinner and Fashion Show, part of the annual Caribbean Week New York events,Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Director General Joy Jibrilu received the distinguished Allied Award for her exceptional work towards the sustainable development of Caribbean tourism. 

Director General Jibrilu was present at the ceremony at the Wyndham New Yorker in Midtown to accept the award bestowed upon her by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and its Allied Members. Mrs. Jibrilu is the first Bahamian member of the CTO family to receive the esteemed award.

“I am extremely honored to be receiving the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Allied Award this year,” said Mrs. Jibrilu. “Promoting our spectacular Caribbean region and its sustainability is a personal passion of mine, and its good stewardship is essential for all of us. I am grateful that my colleagues in the tourism industry, and my neighbors in the Caribbean, consider my contributions to have been so worthwhile.”

Established in 2005, the Allied Award is presented to an individual within the CTO who has done an extraordinary job of contributing to the sustainable development of the region. Eligible organizations include members of government, member airlines and cruise lines, and allied members, which includes hotels, tour operators, marketing companies, newspapers, magazines and television programming. 

“It is with both respect and admiration that we recognize these business and industry icons for their tireless commitment – often beyond the call of duty – to the development of a sustainable Caribbean tourism product,” said Sylma Brown, Director, CTO-USA.

 Throughout her tenure in the government sector, Mrs. Jibrilu has worked diligently to encourage sustainable development and tourism growth for The Islands Of The Bahamas, with a focus on respect to the local environment, culture and people. In her role as director general, a position appointed to her in May 2014, she has had oversight in the development, marketing and promotion of the Bahamian Tourism Industry’s multi-faceted marketing programs targeting consumers in global markets including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Latin America and Europe.

Prior to this, she served as the Director of Investments in the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), Office of the Prime Minister, commencing that role in July 2008. 

In both positions, she has been involved in negotiating and implementing some of the largest tourism investment and development projects in the country, including the final phases of the Atlantis Paradise Island megaresort and the multi-billion dollar Baha Mar resort development on Cable Beach. 

Director General Jibrilu’s contributions to these major tourism initiatives have brought significant employment and economic opportunity to The Bahamas, and by extension, the Caribbean region. She is passionate about The Bahamas, the Caribbean region and promoting her country, and the region around the world.  

“I am a firm believer that we are all guardians of these wonderful islands that many of us get to call home, and as a result, we have an incredible responsibility to promote tourism in the most sustainable manner in order to safeguard the Caribbean for future generations,” Mrs. Jibrilu said. 

The Director General was one of nine industry and business professionals, in addition to 12 travel influencers from the media, to be recognized across several award categories during the event. Haitian-American Marlie Hall, an award-winning broadcast journalist and entrepreneur, alongside a former correspondent for CBS News, presided as Master of Ceremonies.

About Caribbean Week New York

Caribbean Week New York is the largest regional tourism activity in the New York area. Artists, performers, celebrity chefs, the Diaspora community, investors and other strategic partners join government officials, tourism stakeholders and the media for a week of festivities, raising awareness for the Caribbean’s diverse tourism industry and provide opportunities. Member destinations will have the opportunity to promote their individual products and services, participate in meetings, seminars and other business development activities to further enhance the Caribbean brand, and provide updates and critical support to the travel agents and media who influence key travel demographics in the region’s #1 source market.

For more information on Caribbean Week and a full program of events, visit www.onecaribbean.org. Visitwww.Bahamas.comand follow The Bahamas on Facebook, Twitterand YouTube.