THE EDITOR, Madam:
IN MONDAY'S edition of The Observer, I noted the comments of at least two writers who implied that "senior officers" of the Jamaica Tourist Board are behind recent activity and comments negative to Air Jamaica. In the writers' construction this is some kind of retaliatory effort orchestrated by the JTB in return for recent criticisms levelled at the Board's organisation.
I wish categorically to state that notion is about as absolute as nonsense can get.
The Board's position is clear. As a public section organisation, we acknowledge critique and criticism as a part of life. The Board serves Jamaica. It goes with the territory. We may not agree with the views held, but we defend people's right to hold those views.
For the record, let me reiterate that the Jamaica Tourist Board wants Air Jamaica to be fabulous and to do fabulously. As an island, Jamaica's tourism growth is conditioned by the quality of its airlift. We love what the airline has accomplished over the past five years. May it continue to soar.
Let me say here that there is a huge job to be done in marketing Jamaica's tourism product. The staff of the Jamaica Tourist Board puts out 120 per cent effort full time all the time. The international recognition they receive year after year suggests that they may be doing some things right.
They have neither the time nor inclination to attack partner organisations.
I know that I speak for every member of the Board of the JTB, and for the senior officers of the organisation when I say that the suggestion of a JTB-led covert attack on the airline is total, absolute and utter nonsense.
Too often it seems in Jamaica that people manufacture stories, that are figments of their own imagination, to create dissension and division. There's too much at stake here. Let's work together, and make it all right. One Love!
I am, etc.,
ADRIAN ROBINSON
JTB Chairman
