Tourism's first woman director general downplayed the gender distinction in her first public address since her appointment, categorically avoiding the "distraction" of gender.

Immediately following the announcement of her appointment, Ms. Vernice Walkine said she wanted to be known firstly as an outstanding director general who worked effectively for The Bahamas and the tourism industry. Only after establishing that fact would she like to be mentioned as the first female in the leadership position of Ministry of Tourism, she said.

Ms. Walkine, a 26-year veteran of the Ministry of Tourism, gave much credit to her success in the organisation to the departing director general, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. Both he and the first director general, Baltron Bethel, were mentors to her.

"I have learned an awful lot from the two directors general," she said. "So I love them a great deal. They have managed to create something out of a shy girl who wanted to be a teacher."

Ms. Walkine's plans for teaching changed when she found herself in the Ministry of Tourism, using her foreign language skills. Afterward, she worked in marketing, advertising and product development. At each step, she said, she enjoyed her work.

"I truly feel that this is where I was meant to be," Ms. Walkine said when speaking of her career in tourism. "And I can truly say I never wanted to do anything else. I never got bored."

As tourism industry partners welcomed Ms. Walkine into her new post, they bid farewell to Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). The evening's celebration included performances by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band and an all-star junkanoo rush.

In his farewell to his long-time colleagues, Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace thanked the many hoteliers and Ministry of Tourism staff members from whom he had learned while working as director general of the Ministry of Tourism. He said the CTO was keen to have a Bahamian head the organisation, considering the Bahamas' tourism success. However, he said, it is the entire team of individuals in the Ministry of Tourism and their partners that makes tourism a success in The Bahamas.

"They think they are getting the Ministry of Tourism, but they are not," he said. "They are getting me. What has happened over the years is, you (Ministry of Tourism workers) have done so much over the years to make me look so good."

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe pointed out that Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace has influenced many Ministry of Tourism workers. He said Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace now leaves the Ministry of Tourism in a stronger position due to his mentorship and vision.