NEW YORK – Jamaican-born Marie Walker, who tourism officials said dedicated her life to the betterment of the Caribbean region, died last month.
“Walker”“Marie Walker was a passionate tourism regionalist who never missed an opportunity to serve on a CTO committee …,” said Sylma Brown, director of Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) -USA, Inc.
“She shared her expertise freely and supported destination colleagues without hesitation. She exuded with warmth, energy and authenticity … Marie will be missed by all who knew and loved her.”
Walker worked in the Caribbean tourism industry for 40 years, most recently as the principal of Turnstyle Marketing, where she worked with Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia. She served as a director of the Anguilla Tourist Board and vice president of sales and marketing with Antigua and Barbuda.
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Walker began her career with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and helped grow business for Jamaica with the award-winning “One Love” advertising campaign. Sheengaged Jamaicans living abroad before the Caribbean diaspora was established as a viable market.
Walker was the founder of the popular “Jerk to Go” restaurants in New York City.She previously sat on the board of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies and has served on several CTO committees, including the committee for the CTO’s Governments of the Caribbean State Ball.
