Longtime Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board CEO Fred Lounsberry is retiring. 

Lounsberry has announced his planned retirement from the position he has held for the last 17 years. 

He is being succeeded by Joy Jibrilu, former Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, who will officially assume the role on Aug. 22. 

“I’ve had an incredible experience working closely with our hotel partners, board members, and the government of The Bahamas to help drive unprecedented success for the destination over the course of these past 17 years,” Lounsberry said. “I leave knowing the Promotion Board is in great hands with Joy Jibrilu, who is a fantastic leader.”

Lounsberry will stay on board for a period of time during the transition. 

“Fred Lounsberry has been a true, dedicated leader and a great asset to both the promotion board and the destination itself and we wish him much-deserved happiness,” said John Conway, general manager of the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort and chair of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. “We are delighted to welcome someone of Joy Jibrilu’s caliber to the CEO role. Joy has long been known as one of the most vocal and effective advocates for The Bahamas tourism industry. The experience she brings to the CEO position will be invaluable.”

Jibrilu was appointed as Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in May 2014. 

She served as the Director of Investments in the Bahamas Investment Authority, Office of the Prime Minister, from July 2008. In this capacity, she was responsible for negotiating Heads of Agreements for the major touristic developments, including the $3 Billion Baha Mar resort

“The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board has been an important partner with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation for more than 50 years,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis. “I am very happy to know that Mrs. Joy Jibrilu will bring her wealth of experience and immense leadership skills to the organisation and continue the current momentum and sustained long-term tourism growth for our country. Mrs. Jibrilu will be the first woman and Bahamian to head the Promotion Board and she has my full support as the government and private sector work together to ensure The Bahamas remains the number one destination in the Caribbean

Jibrilu is a barrister by profession, and called to both the English and Bahamian Bar. 

“I am so excited to bring my experience to the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board,” said Jibrilu said. “This is a tremendous opportunity to utilize my passion for the destination and help drive its continued growth. We have an incredible product here in both Nassau and Paradise Island that I know very well, and I look forward to working closely with our hotel and resort partners, as well as the board itself, for its continued success.”