TORONTO — Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has a new CEO at its helm.

Andrea Franklin, who assumes the role following an extensive recruitment process, “is a homegrown, well-educated and experience tourism and hospitality practitioner who has come through the ranks to reach the top tourism post in Barbados,” says Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill. 

Franklin began her career in tourism as an account executive for Air Jamaica in the 1990s before heading to the Barbados Tourism Authority (now known as BTMI) where she held several roles including Manager, Product Integration and Senior Business Development Manager in the New York office. Her most senior role to date is Chief Executive Officer of Caves of Barbados (now Country Manager at Chukka Caribbean Adventures) where she has overseen operations, marketing and financing for the past five years.

Minister Gooding-Edghill also announced the appointment of Cheryl Carter, Director, UK, BTMI as the new Chief Operating Officer, who will support the new CEO and manage the operational functions of the organization. She will also be responsible for the leadership and performance of all external markets.

A veteran tourism professional, Carter brings with her over 26 years of experience, including Interim Head of Global Markets in the UK where she was able to achieve the highest arrivals for Barbados from the source market. She also led teams in Canada and North America during her tenure as a director.