Bermuda's tourism industry will be led by “an entrepreneurial and vibrant group” that will “drive Bermuda's re-emergence as a world-class tourism destination”, it has been claimed.

Tourism Minister Shan Crockwell yesterday revealed the eight-member board of directors who will oversee the Tourism Authority — a non-political organisation that has taken over the running of the industry from Government's Department of Tourism.

Introducing the board at a press conference, Mr Crockwell said: “I believe this is a watershed moment for Bermuda's tourism industry and our last real opportunity to turn things around and restore our position as a desired premier destination — this is new territory for Bermuda.”

“I would like to thank our new board of directors for enthusiastically agreeing to lead this very important organisation. Our two international directors add a global perspective of excellence to our board and we sincerely appreciate their commitment to Bermuda.

“I have emphasised to the Board that it is no longer business as usual for Bermuda Tourism. We have created an entirely new structure focused on delivering the objectives of the National Tourism plan.

“This will include two new divisions, Tourism Investment and Product and Experience Development, which will drive change in the Bermuda tourism product.

“As the Authority develops creative and innovative ways to make Bermuda a more attractive and competitive destination for visitors and tourism investors, they will be the singular voice that drives Bermuda's re-emergence as a world-class tourism destination.

“The OBA Government, and especially myself as Minster responsible, are proud of today's announcement, which marks the beginning of a new era in Bermuda Tourism.

Mr Crockwell added that a CEO has yet to be appointed to the Authority and other staff posts are also vacant.

Earlier, Government said that the Authority will not be fully operational until March 2014.

At the press conference, Board chairman David Dowell said: “Today is an exciting day for tourism and for Bermuda. For the first time in Bermuda's history, our tourism product is being guided by an independent, private enterprise. I commend both political parties for progressing this change and helping Bermuda to move tourism forward.

“It's a big challenge and one I'm looking forward to achieving along with my fellow board members and the team at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

“Our success depends on working together with the tourism sector in a shared commitment to revitalise this industry. We want to build on the hard work that many people in hospitality are already undertaking today. We welcome the new directors and we are committed to keeping the public up-to-date with the developments at the authority.”

Members of the Board

David Dodwell (chairman): The owner of The Reefs Hotel and Club in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis. He has more than four decades of experience in the hospitality industry. The Reefs was the first Bermuda resort to earn the top spot as the No. 1 Atlantic resort in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. The Nisbet Plantation was named the No. 1 resort in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda two years in a row by the Travel and Leisure World's Best Awards. Mr Dodwell is a former Minister of Tourism for Bermuda, once served as the president of the Bermuda Hotel Association and is a member of the Resort Committee of the American Hospitality & Lodging Association. He was also named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 2010.

Phil Barnett: The director and president of the Island Restaurant Group. Prior to the Island Restaurant Group, he was a general manager for Spectra Group of Great Restaurants. He serves as a board member on the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce..

Paul Telford: Hotel manager at the Rosewood Tucker's Point resort in Bermuda. He has 13 years international management experience in luxury hotels. His experiences have been both on the island of Bermuda initially in food and beverage operations and then off-Island with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts where he started in food and beverage management, and then transitioned into the rooms division. His most recent postings have seen him at hotels and resorts such as the Four Seasons Washington DC — a Forbes 5 Star Hotel, the Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico, and The Kahala Hotel in Honolulu Hawaii, a Forbes 4 Star Resort and Spa, before returning to Bermuda in 2008 to join the opening team of Tucker's Point Hotel and Spa.

Jessica Mello: Director of Consulting Services Deloitte Bermuda and serves banking and public sector clients in Bermuda and the Caribbean. Before joining Deloitte Bermuda in 2011, she worked in the Economics practice at AECOM, a Fortune 500 infrastructure consulting firm. Jessica was based in London and worked with clients in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and China. Ms Mello is experienced in economic planning, feasibility analysis and strategy for tourism destinations. She has worked with visitor attractions, mixed-use destination resorts, entertainment retail districts, sporting destinations, iconic structures, waterfronts, and infrastructure. She is also a member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Economics Committee and served as a performance committee analyst for the Bermuda SAGE Commission.

Allison Towlson: Regional executive and chief operating officer for ACE. She has extensive background in underwriting operations, corporate reporting, training and development and marketing in the insurance industry. Prior to ACE, Alison served as the assistant vice president of Sedgwick Global Broking in Bermuda, and as an underwriter and claims administrator at Alexander Insurance Managers in Bermuda. She also serves as a chairperson for the Insurance Development Council, board member for the Bermuda Business Development Agency, associate for the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), a mentor under the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies in Bermuda and a member of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurance (ABIR) working committee on contract certainty.

Peter Everson: President of PEConsultants Ltd. Mr Everson has extensive experience in investment banking, fund management, private equity and private banking. Prior to PEConsultants, he was the CEO of Schroders. He serves as a non-executive director for Delphi Management Limited and Shell Trust Bermuda Limited and a board member for the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Bermuda International Companies.

Earl G. Graves Jr: President and CEO of Black Enterprise. He is responsible for the strategic positioning and overall profitability of the corporation which includes magazine publishing, television production, digital media, and business and lifestyle events. He joined Black Enterprise in 1988 after earning his MBA from Harvard University. After holding several positions within advertising and marketing, he was appointed president and chief operating officer in 1998 and named CEO in 2006. Under his guidance Black Enterprise has expanded the reach of its signature magazine to include more than four million readers, redefined its Wealth for Life mission for the digital age with a revitalised multimedia website and iPad edition, and successfully launched broadcasts of Our World with Black Enterprise and the Black Enterprise Business Report into television syndication.

Allison Reid: Senior vice president of Real Estate of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. She has extensive experience in hospitality and finance. Prior to being the senior vice president of Real Estate, she served as the vice president of Owner Relations at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. She has served in various finance positions at Interstate Hotels and ITT Sheraton Corporation. Ms Reid is currently a member of the management board of EquityCo, LLC and OpBiz LLC. She also serves as the vice president of Investor Relations of Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide Inc.