Apathy within the tourism industry threatens its long-term sustainability despite record-breaking growth, new Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) chair Kelly-Ann Payne has warned, calling on private sector players to take a more active role in leadership, planning and stewardship of the island’s most important industry.

Speaking after her election at the association’s annual general meeting, Payne did not mince words regarding a growing trend of apathy within the industry. She highlighted a worrying decline in members stepping forward for leadership roles, noting that key positions within the organisation are now rarely contested.

“Over the years, these positions have rarely been challenged,” she said in her inaugural address. “In fact, in many instances, we no longer even need to vote because not enough people are coming forward to serve. That reality should give us pause.”