Timing IS everything. What a wonderful show-and-tell example of the meddling and politics to which our fragile Tourism Program is subject. (Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the change at Tourism).
This is exactly the kind of politics and non-business approach I was referring to in my editorial piece on Tourism Management. In fact this is real lobbying!
I have not seen the resume of Ms. deChabert. She indeed sounds well-papered and perhaps experienced. She certainly is who we need right away to teach, to instill the virtues of tourism, hospitality and service!
However, is she the one to take the helm!
Is she a marketer?
Is she business — particularly international tourism — savvy?
Is she a no-nonsense and creative executive or manager? Is she a driver with a destination in mind?
Is she a strategist? What's her strategy?
How would she change the handling of Tourism?
What does she think about the politics-laden organization as it exists?
Will she be empowered to hire her own soldiers and re-build with a new army, regardless of political and social affiliation?
What's her relationship to the current administration?
What's her relationship to local tourism industry leaders?
What's her stand on external sales (i.e. the infamous do-nothing off-shore offices)?
What's her relationship to current tourism employees locally and off-shore?
These should be the kinds of questions to ask anyone before handing out yet another plum in tourism, if we're going to get on with the show.
Time will tell. And hopefully soon. Real soon!
Steve Bornn, St. Thomas