White appointed director of tourism at Jamaica Tourist Board

Donovan White has been named as director of tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board following an extensive local and international search.

His appointment was announced by the Jamaica minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett. 

White, a Jamaican national, whose term as head of the country’s tourism marketing agency will commence officially on February 15th, brings with him many years of marketing and business development experience.

He served recently as vice president of Cable & Wireless, Jamaica.

Prior to that, White served as vice president, marketing, sales and media services at Columbus Communications Jamaica, leading commercial teams to deliver revenue growth in 2013 and 2014.

During that period, he was responsible for delivering a 25 per cent year over year growth in sales from trade.

White has also held the positions of general manager of Caledonia Outdoor Advertising, where he helped to reduce the cost of operations by 25 per cent and grow revenues by 15 per cent and Digicel Group, working as marketing director for Jamaica, Guyana, and the Northern OECS, managing the execution of some of the largest and most successful brand and tactical campaigns.

With a solid background in marketing, digital media and business development, the director-designate is expected to build upon the past successes of the Jamaica Tourist Board, help the JTB expand its global reach and continue to forge a strong partnership with the private sector.

“We are pleased with mister White’s appointment,” said the minister Bartlett.

“He brings a solid business acumen and marketing savvy to the Jamaica Tourist Board, having developed, managed and executed vertically integrated marketing and branding strategies for a range of industry sectors including media, telecoms, advertising and technology.

“As a member of Jamaica’s tourism team, I am confident that his experience will assist the JTB to continue on its current path of delivering increased tourism results through innovative public and private sector partnerships.”

Donnie Dawson, currently serving as interim director of JTB, will continue in that role until White assumes office.

John Lynch, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, noted: “Donovan brings the right experience and the respect of the marketing and business sectors to this important position. 

“In his capacity as director of tourism, he will lead the JTB as Jamaica’s tourist industry continues to grow in a highly globalised and technology driven world.”