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January 11, 2007
Nicholson Doty to head Department of Tourism Gov. John deJongh announced Thursday that long-time hospitality industry executive Beverly-Nicholson Doty has agreed to accept the position of Commissioner of Tourism. In making his selection, deJongh said he desired to fill that critical post in his cabinet with a person who had a genuine understanding of the hospitality industry and was dedicated to the promotion and marketing of the islands’ natural attributes which for years have attracted visitors to our shores yet has an in-depth understanding of its economic development potential. “Beverly Nicholson Doty is the ideal person for this assignment,” he added. She possesses a wealth of experience within the hospitality industry and in establishing policy initiatives to effect the brand enhancement required to heighten our visibility and effect organizational changes in the tourism infrastructure, Gov. deJongh said. She comes to government service following almost 14 years at the helm of the St. Thomas St. John Hotel & Tourism Association where she served many of those years as Executive Director. Nicholson Doty has been recognized for her vision and marketing insight. She was selected as Executive Director of the Year in 2000 by the Caribbean Hotel Association. She has served three consecutive terms as Vice President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives, a position that is voted on by her counterparts in the Caribbean region. Ms. Nicholson-Doty began her career in the hospitality industry as a reservations clerk at the then Virgin Isle Hotel. Quickly rising in the ranks, she has served as a Front Desk Manager, Front Office Manager, Room’s Division Manager, Hotel Manager, Sales Manager and Marketing and Sales Director at various hotels in the territory. Nicholson Doty on Thursday thanked deJongh for his “confidence in my abilities to lead the agency, which drives the economy of our territory.” Our islands are an incredible destination with such rich and varied offerings, she added. “It’s an exciting time to market the United States Virgin Islands. This opportunity comes with great responsibility to the people of the Virgin Islands, it is with great humility that I accept the nomination for the position of Commissioner of Tourism,” Nicholson Doty said. During her time with the hotel and tourism association, Nicholson Doty is proudest of two initiatives: The Student Internship Program and the unification of both districts Hotel and Tourism Associations. The internship program encourages students to consider employment options available in the industry. Doty also pointed out that the cohesiveness of both associations strengthens the entire hotel product of the Virgin Islands, while recognizing the unique marketing qualities of each island. In 2004, she was appointed to the position President of the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association, a position never held before by a paid staff member. Nicholson Doty is married to Randall Doty and has one son, Paris O. Nicholson, IV. |
