The ‘link’ in tourism linkages

Currently the director of the Tourism Linkages Network at the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Carolyn McDonald-Riley is a Jamaican national, and brings with her many years of experience in the public and private sectors.

She has been tasked by the Ministry of Tourism, as a priority, to coordinate and implement effective sustainable strategies to strengthen as well as facilitate linkages between tourism and other economic sectors, namely, agriculture, manufacturing and entertainment.

McDonald-Riley’s previous experience as the economist for the tourism ministry, where she spent over 10 years, included administering the incentives schemes of the sector, monitoring the industry performance, and analysing its impact and opportunities.

In addition, she has worked with a wide cross section of ­stakeholders representing public, private and non-government interest groups. McDonald-Riley has played an integral role in the development of several policies geared at sustainability, diversification, growth, and promoting efficiency within the industry.

She is also an attorney-at-law and is qualified to practise in Jamaica. She is a trained and certified mediator with the Dispute Resolution Foundation. Her qualification includes an MBA from The University of the West Indies in finance and public sector management and a BSC in economics.

In 2006, she was the tourism ministry’s nominee for the Civil Servant of the Year Award. She is also a distinguished president of the Kiwanis Movement and currently the district administrator for Circle K, which has the responsibility for the Caribbean District Circle K clubs. She is married to Joseph, and they have three children.