ANTIGUA & BARBUDA HOTELS & TOURISM ASSOCIATION

The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association has announced that former Chairman Vernon A. Jeffers Snr. will now serve in the capacity of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Jeffers takes up this role as the industry continues to recover from the setbacks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. His work with the Association will be focused on supporting the Board of Directors and Management of the Association in meeting its strategic goals.

Mr. Alex deBrito, First Vice Chairman of the ABHTA remarked that “All of our members have been going through an extremely challenging time in our respective businesses.  We’ve seen the hope of increased arrivals and the disappointment of our source markets closing or increasing restrictions on travel.  This has meant, that in the short term, our recovery will be slow. This also means that we each have an increased focus on our business and our operations to ensure that we all remain viable post-pandemic.  Having someone like Mr. Jeffers step forward to lead the Association at this time is critical, to ensure that the demands of the Association are met and that we are focused on charting our way through the pandemic and ultimate recovery of our industry.”

In response to taking up this new role, Mr. Jeffers expressed that “I have had the distinct pleasure to serve not only as Chairman of the Association (2019 – 2021) but also as a Director of the Board for over ten years.  With this new appointment, I intend to support my colleagues in the industry by focusing squarely on the matters that will help support the recovery of our sector and build on my past experiences to ensure that the Association's mandate remains top-level priority”.

The ABHTA recently held its Bi-Annual General Meeting and Mr, Jeffers joins a team of Directors who will serve the Association for the period 2021 – 2023. Mr. Jeffers currently holds the position of Managing Partner of Jewels Management & Consultancy Inc. His work continues in the Industry as he also serves as a Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.  Mr. Jeffers’ role with the ABHTA was made effective on May 1, 2021.