Above: Cayman’s new Director of Tourism

By Alexander Britell

The Cayman Islands has named Rosa Harris its new Director of Tourism, the government announced Friday.

Harris officially assumed the post on July 1 after serving for seven and a half years at the Department of Tourism.

“I am very pleased that such a qualified individual as Mrs Harris has been identified for the role of Director of Tourism,” said Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell. “During her tenure Mrs Harris has played an integral role in many of the Department’s successful endeavours and continuously contributes to the betterment of our tourism product locally, while elevating our positioning globally as the destination of choice in the Caribbean. I look forward to the Department continuing to thrive under Mrs Harris’ leadership and wish her every success in this next phase of her career.”

Harris succeeds former Tourism Director Shomari Scott, who stepped down at the end of 2013. She had previously been serving as acting director in the Department.

Harris is a graduate of Cornell University and received her MBA from Manchester University.

She began her hospitality career at the former Hyatt property in Grand Cayman in 2000 working her way from the restaurant and in=room dining assistant manager to the position of Rum Point Club property manager in 2005-2006, before taking over as national promotions and events manager at the Department of Tourism in 2006.

“Having served as Acting Director previously, Mrs Harris has a proven record of bringing valuable expertise and organizational skills to the table and that she is an asset to the Department of Tourism,” said Stran Bodden, chief officer for the Ministry of Tourism.