JUNIOR MINISTER OF TOURISM DAY “Celebrating Gabriele Josephs”

On September 9, 2016, the Ministry of Tourism joined with Mary Star of The Sea Catholic Academy to host a Junior Minister of Tourism Day special assembly in celebration of the victory of this year’s Junior Minister, Gabriele Josephs.

The event served as a sendoff ceremony as Josephs is scheduled to attend the CTO’s Youth Congress, September 13-17, 2016 at the Hilton Barbados Resort where he will debate against Junior Ministers from throughout the region in hope of bringing the coveted first prize back to The Bahamas.

Josephs, who describes himself as shy and introverted, expressed his gratitude to those who were crucial in his success.

He said that his mother, teachers, and the training team at the Ministry have all been there to shape him into the eloquent speaker he is today. 

Josephs, who shared about his experiences while working with the Ministry, noted how important it is to keep the interest in tourism alive. 

He pointed out that “The Bahamas’ tourism industry is a collective of brilliant, hard working, and talented people… who joined a legacy worth eight billion dollars”.

Though young in age, Gabriele’s words of wisdom encouraged all to share their knowledge in order to guarantee the continued success of The Bahamas.

Betty Bethel, Director for the Ministry of Tourism Grand Bahama and alumnus of Mary Star of the Sea, advised that one of the objectives of the Jr. Minister program is to find ways to motivate the younger generations to pursue careers in tourism.

Josephs, who is already making his mark as a new leader in the industry, is a prime example of the success of the Jr. Minister Program.

In light of tourism’s prominence as the number one industry in The Bahamas, Bethel noted that“the competition for the tourism dollar is fierce and we are on a mission to prepare you to be our future tourism industry leaders”. 

A featured speaker at the assembly was Minister Wilchcombe , who recounted blissful memories of his days as a student of Mary Star of the Sea.

Minister Wilchcombe expressed great confidence in Josephs’ ability to excel not only in Barbados but as a future leader of the country.

He charged the student body to “tell the people of the world that we are citizens of the world who are to be counted and who are to be seen”.

As a gesture of gratitude, Minister Wilchcombe, along with Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, Director General for the Ministry of Tourism and principal of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, Mrs. Joy Ritchie Greene, presented the school with the floating trophy to commemorate the efforts which made Josephs’ win possible. 

Pictured from left are: Mrs. Joy Ritchie Greene, Principal of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy; Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism; Gabriele Josephs, Jr. Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism.