Donnie Dawson, deputy director of the Jamaica Tourist Board who has served in various capacities with the group for more than 40 years, has retired.
Donnie Dawson Photo Credit: Jamaica Tourist Board
Dawson joined the Jamaica Tourist Board at its Kingston headquarters as a sales representative in 1975. After a brief employment with Jamaica Resort Hotels, he rejoined the board in 1982 and was tasked with expanding what was then a satellite office in California into a full-service regional operation covering 13 states. In 2003, the board appointed Dawson deputy director of tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board at its Miami office. Dawson also served twice as the board's interim director of tourism.
"Jamaica is deeply indebted to Donnie Dawson for his decades of service to develop and promote tourism to the island," said Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's tourism minister. "He has been a steadfast ambassador throughout the years, dedicated to helping Jamaica become one of the world's leading tourism destinations. We are truly grateful to him for everything he has accomplished and wish him a very happy retirement."
The board said Dawson is known for working with airlines to promote service to Jamaica, and is credited with helping to develop the destination's relationships with travel professionals and the Jamaica Travel Specialist program to educate agents about the island's tourism product offerings.