Chief Minister Hon. R.T. O'Neal and Tourist Board Director Ms Anne Lennard
at Monday's press conference [GIS photo]

Anne Lennard is the new Director of the BVI Tourist Board

Virgin Gorda native Ms. Anne Lennard, a former Miss BVI, was named Monday as the new Director of British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, for a period of two years. The announcement was made by Chief Minister and Minister responsible for Tourism the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal, during his regular bi-monthly press conference. "I am pleased to announce that Executive Council has approved the recommendation of the Tourist Board that Ms. Anne Lennard be appointed as Director of Tourism for a contract period of two years with effect from 1st April, 2000" he told reporters.

The Chief Minister said a copy of the unanimous resolution passed by the Tourist Board, with all the nine members at the time present, was sent to him, along with the recommendation. From the record, he said she had the full support of the Board. Ms. Lennard is no stranger to the Board, having been in the Acting chair since September 1997 and previously Deputy Director only a few months prior to that appointment. She joined the Tourist Board in 1996 as Product Manager on the heels of a seven-year career in marketing and advertising in the private sector.

As Director of Tourism, Ms. Lennard has responsibility for the management of the affairs of the Board. She has been directing the Board’s offices in New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Germany and Italy since her Acting appointment as Director. In 1998 and 1999, Ms. Lennard was recognized by Travel Agent Magazine as one of the 200 most powerful women in travel. She has represented the BVI at major tourism, travel and film trade events in the United States, Europe and Central America.

She has a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Business Management from the University of the Virgin Islands and has undertaken tourism management studies from the University of the West Indies. "I take this opportunity on behalf of my government and the people of the British Virgin Islands to offer congratulations to Ms. Lennard on her appointment as Director of Tourism, as she undertakes the challenges of a very important industry in the new millennium" Chief Minister O’Neal remarked.

The new Director of Tourism said the past two years was one of the most challenging periods of her professional career. She expressed gratitude to the Honourable Chief Minister Mr. O’Neal, the Members of the Executive Council, the past and present Chairmen and members of the BVI Tourist Board for the confidence reposed in her and conveyed her appreciation to the staff of the Board, both locally and overseas, with whom she has had the privilege to work over the past four years. "I pledge to endeavour to maintain the beauty and positioning of this territory as a premier tourist destination" the new Tourism Director remarked. "We are a team and team effort will be required to maintain our success."

"We are blessed with a beautiful country, which often puts us a step ahead in the game and it is up to each of us to help preserve it" she said. She added that there are several programmes that must be put in place, including the training of personnel in all areas of the industry. Ms. Anne Lennard succeeds Russell Harrigan, who resigned from the post back in 1997. She said she remains very optimistic about the outlook of the tourism industry and she would wish to see BV Islanders acquiring a greater appreciation for the tourism industry and our children becoming more exposed to tourism.

Responding to allegations of low morale amongst staff at the BVI Tourist Board, the new Director said in any working environment, there will be days when different situations will arise. "My staff and I will continue to promote this territory and I must say that human resources-wise, there are several programmes which we have undertaken at the Board to ensure that employees are content while working at the Board."

"But, I'd wish to say that unlike what the perception may be, all is well at the BVI Tourist Board and that comes from the top" she declared. Since her appointment, the BVI Tourist Board has been strengthened with the addition of two new members, Financial Secretary Allen Wheatley and Barney Crook, Managing Director of Tortola Marine Management, a charter boat company. Mr. Wheatley has responsibility for advising the Chief Minister on the financial situation in the territory. According to Mr. O'Neal, since tourism is such a major employer and contributes so much to the economy, it is necessary for Mr. Wheatley to be in a position to advise the board on government policy and get a feel of what is happening in the industry, so that he can better advise the Minister.

Mr. Crooke will represent the growing boating industry. "When criticisms are made that there are no hotel rooms, that isn’t quite so because if you take the charter boats as hotel rooms, quite a good many have been added over the last two years" the Chief Minister noted. He also mentioned the developments taking place at Long Bay Beach Resort and Buck Island, that which took place on Saba Rock and at Lambert Bay and the proposals for Scrub Island and others. "But on the one hand, while we want that, on the other hand, we've got to watch the population and what will happen if we have to bring in more and more people and we don't have theproper accommodation, the education facilities and the health facilities, the transportation facilities" Mr. O'Neal stated.