22 July 2014
A new report outlining how responsibility for promoting Jersey will be transferred from Jersey Tourism to Visit Jersey has been presented to the Economic Development Minister.
The implementation plan was prepared by the Tourism Shadow Board (TSB). In March 2014 the TSB, chaired by John Henwood, presented its preliminary report to, the Economic Development Minister, Senator Alan Maclean. The report recommended that Jersey would best be served if the future of tourism were put in the hands of an independent, grant-funded body.
Senator Maclean expressed his broad agreement with the recommendations and asked the TSB to develop a business case and deliverable implementation plan, paying close attention to the potential implications for Jersey Tourism and Jersey Conference Bureau staff.
That work has now been completed. In addition to setting out the business case in greater detail and developing an implementation plan, the TSB has also outlined a transition plan to facilitate the orderly handover of responsibilities to Visit Jersey.
Key to that plan is the appointment of Kevin Keen, who will become transition director from 1 August 2014 until the end of January 2015.
Mr Keen recently announced that he was standing down from his role as chief executive of Jersey Post, where he led an extensive programme of change which was achieved with the co-operation of staff and without disruption to continuing services.
Senator Maclean said “I am delighted Kevin has agreed to accept this role. He has demonstrated, both at Jersey Dairy and Jersey Post, his ability to bring about fundamental change in a quiet but effective way and we know he will approach the task in hand in his usual thoughtful manner.”
It is anticipated that the transition director role will continue for six months, during which time a chief executive (designate) will be appointed. The recruitment process for this new post is set to commence shortly. The current director of Tourism is due to retire early next year.
Mr Keen said “Being invited to play a small part in tourism’s resumption of growth in the Island is a challenge that I find very exciting. As a long-term advocate for the industry, which benefits every resident of Jersey, I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with Senator Maclean, the TSB and the team at Jersey Tourism, to bring Visit Jersey into being.”
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