Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Former Minister of Tourism Frank Pringle has added his voice to the controversy surrounding the appointment of John Lynch as chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Ambassador Pringle, who served as Tourism Minister from 1989 to 1993, says he is interested in seeing whether John Lynch would be able to resist "behind-the-scene overtures" that might come from his colleagues at the Gordon 'Butch' Stewart-led Sandals Resorts.

"Lynch is a good fellow, but when Butch says jump, he jumps," Pringle remarks.

Describing the new chairman as a very good marketing person, Pringle says he is confident that Lynch can perform, if he doesn't allow his superiors at Sandals, where he is a senior executive, to influence decisions at the JTB.

"I am amused at the present situation, because I recall when I was Shadow Tourism Minister and SuperClubs' John Issa was made chairman, Butch came to me complaining bitterly that it was a conflict of interest," Pringle recalls. He says Stewart was very concerned that Issa could have taken advantage of the market by virtue of his position as JTB chairman.

Last week, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, objected to the appointment of Lynch as JTB chairman, arguing that it constituted a conflict of interest. Stewart reacted with a stinging critique of the previous administration's performance in tourism and economic management.

Decisions based on need

But in responding to the issue at a press conference last week, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett restated his position that all decisions made by his ministry were based on the fundamental need to grow the sector. "As everyone so far has agreed (even those with concerns about his appointment), John Lynch brings to the table an unparalleled set of skills in the hospitality business, based on a record of solid performance and enviable achievements both in Jamaica and internationally."

Added he: "We all have personal interests to protect - that is why there is a board. Boards are meant to provide a diversity of views, as well as to balance potential conflicting interests."

He said the chairman is not meant to be an unquestioned czar. "If you look at the other persons on the JTB board, you will see individuals who cannot be swayed to compromise their integrity just to yield to the demand of the chairman," stated Bartlett.