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Jamaica’s Director General of Tourism to receive African Diaspora Hall of Fame Award

Atlanta – Carrole Ann Marie Guntley, Director General, in Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture has been nominated to receive a Hall of Fame Tourism Award at the African Diaspora World Tourism Award on April 27, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. The three-day event will be held at the Airport Marriott Hotel April 26-28, 2013.

Kitty Pope, founder and producer of the African Diaspora World Tourism Awards & Travel Expo sets the stage by explaining the reason for the creation of the awards. “An award ceremony of this type is needed because we have shining stars who have worked hard to push forth agendas related to black culture and heritage tourism. There is the annual World Travel Awards that is the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry; but because of its uniqueness, I feel that a separate, special event is needed for the culture and heritage contributions of people of African descent.”

The Director General has worked in tourism for over 31 years and has held her current position as Director General in the Ministry of Tourism since 1999. The consummate leader and innovator, she was instrumental in helping to create a sustainable tourism development Master Plan and initiated a policy, which provided short-term incentives for the attractions, villas and apartment sectors.


Carrole Guntley, Director General
Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment

Guntley is credited as being Jamaica’s first female Director of Tourism (DOT), between 1984 and 1990, and it was during her tenure that the island achieved the landmark target of hosting one million visitors. Guntley is the recipient of numerous awards, however the two most endearing awards received are Jamaica’s national honour, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) in 2003 and the Prime Minister’s Award for invaluable contribution to Jamaica’s Tourism in 1995.

At a prestigious event hosted at the Terra Nova Hotel, Jamaica, in February 2013, Guntley was awarded the first International Alumni Achievement Award with “sincere gratitude” from her Alma Mater. She was a member of Ryerson University’s 1975 Class.

Additional Hall of Fame honorees from Jamaica are: John Lynch (Chairman/Director Jamaica Tourist Board); Rita & Bob Marley (International Reggae Ambassadors); Harry Belafonte (Celebrated Actor/Activist) and Dr Julius Garvey (Surgeon & Son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey). For the complete list visit of Who’s Who honorees, visit www.africandiasporatourism.com

The producers of the African Diaspora World Tourism Awards & Travel Expo warmly welcome the African Diaspora: dignitaries, notables, professionals and culture and travel enthusiasts to Atlanta, the venue for the staging of the “Oscars” of black culture & heritage tourism.

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