Javon Griffith Named Chairman of Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association

General Manager of the Atlantis Historic Inn, Javon Griffith, is the new Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).

Appointed at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, Griffith, who will serve in that position until June 2026, brings a wealth of knowledge to the post with close to 20 years of experience in tourism and hospitality management in Barbados.

Addressing the membership of the association, he said, “I am indeed honoured to serve as chairman of the BHTA and look forward to working with each of you over the next 24 months as we strive to remain one of the leading destinations of the Caribbean.

“We are all in this together and must continue to work along with all of our industry partners. Unity is strength and when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”

Griffith, who also oversees the Sales and Marketing Operations for both Atlantis and sister property Little Good Harbour, has been an active member of the BHTA since 2013, serving as Second Vice Chairman on the Board from 2020 to 2023 and as Chairman Elect from last June.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University (Bedfordshire, UK), a Bachelor’s Degree with honours from the University of the West Indies in Hospitality & Tourism Management and Associate Degrees in Tourism and Travel and French and Italian for Business and Tourism from the Barbados Community College.

During the AGM, Patricia Affonso-Dass was elected to serve as the BHTA’s First Vice Chairman and will also represent the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) on the Board.

New BHTA Chairman Javon Griffith and Immediate Past Chairman Renée Coppin (Centre) with other members of the new BHTA Board of Directors at the association’s recent AGM.

Other members of the BHTA Board of Directors include Omar Carrington, Second Vice Chairman; Renée Coppin, Immediate Past Chairman; Jo-Ann Roett, Director of Finance; Kavita Sandiford, Director of Direct Tourism Services (DTS); Raymond Gill – Chairperson – DTS; Joanna Roterberg, Chairperson – Luxury; Kelly-Ann Payne, Chairperson – A Class; Mark Kent, Chairperson – B Class & Apartments and Tania Wallace, Chairperson – Vacation Rental Property Management Companies.

Chief Executive Officer of the BHTA, Ryan Forde, also sits on the Board along with representatives of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI) – Andrea Franklyn and Intimate Hotels of Barbados (IHB) – Davina Layne.