JTB appoints first business development liaison for the diaspora

A business development liaison officer has been appointed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) to spur investment in the Jamaican tourism industry from the diaspora.

Appointed to the post is Vance Carter, a former vice-consul at the Jamaican Consulate in Miami. He will serve as business development officer with responsibility for the Jamaican diaspora in the United States (US).

Carter took up his position on August 17.

According to Director of Tourism Donovan White, Carter will have responsibility for the entire US Jamaican diaspora as he seeks to develop business investment in Jamaica’s tourism industry.

“His primary responsibility will be to build relationships with the diaspora to create business engagement between the diaspora and the Jamaican government,” White told The Gleaner.

The business development officer’s role is to create dedicated avenues for engagement.

Carter will work with other JTB officials across the US as he seeks to carry out his duties, White said.

Contacted about his new role, Carter told The Gleaner that he was excited about the position and promised to give it his best shot.

“This is a new dimension for me after working for more than 40 years with the Jamaican government,” he said.

He added that the new position represents a learning curve as he seeks to develop business across the diaspora for investment, specifically in the tourism industry.

Carter first served with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, rising to the rank of senior superintendent before retiring.

He was seconded to the Jamaican Consulate in Miami in 2000, while at the rank of inspector, and assigned to the immigration department.

In 2023, he left the Jamaican Consulate in Miami, where he served as vice-consul with responsibility for community outreach.

Carter was awarded membership in the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2017 for long and dedicated service.

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