Minister Bartlett Mourns Passing of Tourism Stalwart Lionel Reid

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Mr. Lionel Reid, a distinguished leader and long-serving executive within Jamaica’s tourism sector.

Mr. Reid, who passed away this morning, dedicated decades of his life to the development of Jamaica’s tourism industry, serving in key leadership roles at Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), a public body of the Ministry of Tourism.

Reflecting on his contributions, Minister Bartlett hailed Mr. Reid as a visionary and an ardent champion of Jamaica’s tourism sector. “Tourism has lost a great stalwart. A gentleman, urbane, and sophisticated. His sense of correctness and diligence to duty was unparalleled,” Minister Bartlett said.

Mr. Reid’s service to Jamaica’s tourism sector was marked by transformative leadership. He first served as President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) from 1993 to 1997 before assuming the role of Executive Director of JAMVAC from 2008 to 2012. He later returned as Chairman of JAMVAC from 2016 to 2018, playing an instrumental role in shaping Jamaica’s airlift strategy.

Among his most enduring contributions was his pivotal role in securing Jamaica’s air connectivity with the United States following the cessation of Air Jamaica’s operations.

Minister Bartlett underscored his impact, noting that “to his eternal legacy will be ascribed Jamaica’s strong airlift security. As chairman and Executive Director of JAMVAC, along with John Lynch, the then executive chairman of the JTB, Lionel played a leading role in the negotiations with American Airlines to future-proof our air connectivity with the USA, our most significant market. This will never be erased.”

Minister Bartlett extended his deepest condolences on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies, as well as the wider tourism fraternity to Mr. Reid’s family, friends, and colleagues. “My deepest and most sincere condolences to his dear widow Vonnie and the children, as well as the huge extended tourism family. RIP my friend Lionel.”

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924,

Fax: 906-1729

Or

Dr. Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944