A new chief executive has been named for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI).

Andrea Franklin (pictured left) has been confirmed in the role following what the island’s tourism body described as an “intense recruitment exercise”.

At the same time, UK director Cheryl Carter has been promoted to the newly-created role of chief operating officer for the organisation.

Carter will manage the operational functions of the organisation  and also be responsible for the leadership and performance of all external markets, having working in the tourism sector for 26 years

As interim head of global markets in the UK in 2019, Carter was able to achieve the highest arrivals for Barbados from its major source market.

Franklin takes up the position on April 1, having worked for the former Barbados Tourism Authority and as country manager at Chukka Caribbean Adventures for five years.

Tourism and international transport minister Ian Gooding-Edghill said: “Ms Franklin is a homegrown, well-educated, and experienced tourism and hospitality practitioner who has come through the ranks to reach the top tourism post in Barbados.

“I instructed the BTMI board to search carefully for someone fit to represent this office and I am satisfied that they have fulfilled their mandate.”