After a week of damaging media stories, Trinidad and Tobago has a new minister of tourism.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has selected Senator Gerry Hadeed as the new head for tourism, and becomes the fourth person to assume the role since 2010.
Hadeed replaces Chandresh Sharma, who was forced to resign on Monday after allegations he assaulted a woman.
The administration will be hoping the new appointment will bring closure to a crisis in confidence at the ministry in recent days, which has overshadowed some signs of positive tourism growth, especially on Tobago.
Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association president Hassel Thom welcomed Hadeed’s appointment and has asked the minister to quickly reignite a number of tourism developments and infrastructure plans which were put on hold by the previous minister.
Hadeed was chairman of the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago until 2013, and is former CEO of Trinidad firm Beacon Insurance.
