Update | Tourism stalwart Heinz Simonitsch dies
Published:Monday | July 20, 2020 | 12:00 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Heinz Simonitsch, the man credited with positioning the pairing of luxury resorts with environmental sustainability, has died.
The Austria-born hotelier, who was responsible for significant growth and recognition of Montego Bay’s Half Moon hotel, died at age 93 en route to a hospital in the tourism capital on Sunday.
Simonitsch spent 39 years at Half Moon, first as general manager, then managing director.
His death has left the tourism industry in mourning, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told The Gleaner on Sunday night.
“He was a stalwart and one of the most outstanding tourism administrators, planners, and missionaries of the Caribbean,” Bartlett stated in a tribute to the man whose illustrious career spanned the presidency of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.
Three years ago, Simonitsch made history when he was named the first recipient of the CHTA ICON Award for his contribution to the sector. He also co-founded the SOS Children’s Villages in Jamaica.
In his tribute, Bartlett spoke of the pivotal role Simonitsch played in the positioning of Jamaica’s high-end products, becoming a leader in the region of exquisite tourism offerings, of which Half Moon became a standard-bearer.
The tourism minister also spoke of Simonitsch’s role in building human capital and the establishment of the Heinz Simonitsch School in St James, which he said will stand as a monument of his commitment to sustainable development and youth empowerment.
Simonitsch, who served as honorary consul general for the Austrian Embassy, died leaving wife Elisabeth, a son, and two daughters.
Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect that Heinz Simonitsch also had a son.