Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board mourns passing of legendary hotelier

George was equally comfortable in the presence of royalty and world leaders as he was with front-line hotel and restaurant workers

Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board CEO Joy Jibrilu issued the following statement on the passing of legendary hotelier and founding Board member Mr. George Myers:

‘We are extremely saddened at the loss of our friend, and founding member of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Mr. George Myers, who passed away on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

George was truly a legendary figure here in The Bahamas – a place he loved so deeply. He had that rare ability to touch and shape the lives of so many people throughout our country, the Caribbean region and beyond. Indeed, George was equally comfortable in the presence of royalty and world leaders as he was with front-line hotel and restaurant workers.

It would be impossible to overstate his impact on the growth of Nassau Paradise Island and The Bahamas during a long and illustrious career that spanned more than 50 years.

George was literally born into the hospitality industry working in his family-owned hotel in Jamaica before coming to The Bahamas in 1963. Perhaps George related so well to those who served under him, because he had risen through the ranks of the industry himself.

He rose from Bar Manager to Vice President and General Manager of the Nassau Beach Hotel before later playing a major part in the development of Paradise Island in his role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Resorts International (Bahamas). His leadership and unmatched marketing skills helped the company quadruple in size and placed him among the pantheon of top hoteliers in the world.

George believed that collaboration was the key to building a successful organization and world-class destination. He was founder of both the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and Paradise Island Tourism Development Association, which brought the hotel industry together to market and help further develop the destination. He was vitally important to the success of both organizations, and for Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board was a longtime Chairman. He was appointed Chairman Emeritus in 2017.

He was the driving force behind the creation of Caribbean Travel Marketplace, in his work with the Caribbean Hotel Association, and the event continues today as the region’s premier tourism marketing event – a great testament to his vision.

George created The Myers Group Ltd. in 1992 and he built an organization that, in addition to hotels, became the leading restaurant operator in the destination. Through this work, the company became a top employer in the destination with an employee base of more than 1,000.

Giving back to his community, whether as an employer, a board member, or philanthropist, was of paramount importance to George and it’s no wonder he received so many honours and accolades throughout his incredible career – from Hotelier of the Year to Lifetime Achievement Award winner and more. George was truly a “people person,” being a hands-on leader who was revered by both his employees and peers.

George was affectionately called “Mr. Tourism” and that name was so fitting of a man who truly embodied the best elements of what makes our industry so special. His is a legacy that will not be matched and whose achievements will live on. The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board joins our countrymen and our fellow members of the tourism industry in expressing our condolences and love for the Myers family and the memory of our beloved friend.’