NEW YORK – Jamaica’s national carrier, Air Jamaica, was honored by Counterpart International for furthering the cause of using sustainable tourism to enhance and improve the health, wealth, culture and environment of the communities it serves.
The airline was presented with the World Tourism Forum Award for Peace and Sustainable Tourism at Counterpart International’s 2007 World Leadership Awards at Guastavino’s in New York City on Wednesday (Sept. 19).
Air Jamaica’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Paul Pennicook, who accepted the award, said the airline is humbled by the recognition.
“Throughout our history, Air Jamaica has been steadfast in its support of causes, which aim to improve the quality of life of the people in the communities we serve, and we are therefore very pleased to be acknowledged in this way by Counterpart International,” he stated.
Muna Heaven, Jamaican-born attorney, who appeared on season six of NBC’s ‘The Apprentice,’ made the presentation to Mr. Pennicook.
Paul Pennicook (right), Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Air Jamaica, with LeLei LeLaulu (left), President and Chief Executive Officer of Counterpart International and Muna Heaven, Jamaican-born attorney-at-law, at Counterpart International’s 2007 World Leadership Awards ceremony held at Guastavino’s in New York City.
Air Jamaica has an outstanding record of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and community involvement, having sponsored a number of causes including medical missions to Jamaica, which have provided health care to more than 18,000 indigent adults and children over the past six years.
The national carrier also supports the Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, which, over the last 12 years, has provided open heart surgeries free of cost for Jamaican children; and the Lovebird Kids’ Club, which works to enhance the quality of life for children living in the Caribbean (and in Caribbean communities within the United States) by providing increased educational opportunities and improved learning facilities.
The airline, through its expanded network of routes, continues to help sustain the tourist economies of the destinations to which it flies, and hopes to continue this expansion and support in the coming years.
Among the other awardees were: President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez, who was presented with the World Leadership Award; Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and St. Lucia’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Senator Allen Chastanet; Executive Vice President and General Manager of BET J, BET Digital Networks and President of BET Event Productions, Paxton Baker; and public relations veteran and Ruder Finn Chairman and co-founder David Finn.
Founded in 1965, Counterpart International is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a just world through service and partnership.
