Vana Taylor – A Respected Voice In Tourism

Ms. Vana Taylor has been working in the Tourism Industry for more than 30 years and has earned the respect of her peers as being the “go to” person, especially during times of crisis.

As President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Taylor is also a powerful voice in the business community.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, describes her as the “quintessential team player… the tireless worker… and the one who gets things done”.

“She is one of the hardest workers in tourism… someone who never complains… someone who is always the last to leave the building,” he told JIS News.

Minister Bartlett said Ms. Taylor has been a champion for the small villas and hotel stakeholders, as she has consistently lent her voice to their cause, while ensuring “that they always have a seat at the table”.

“We have been lucky to have Vana as part of the tourism family for all these years. She has never shied away from her responsibilities… never afraid to take on new challenges… and has been an important force in keeping the villa and small hotel sector on the front burner, especially during this COVID-19 global pandemic,” he said.

Ms. Taylor, has held several management positions within the tourism sector.

In 1983, she started her first company, Sunflower Villas, which she still operates and manages, and she also operates Fisherman’s Point and Skycastles in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

She has been a Council Member of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) for several years and Area Chairman for the Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter. Ms. Taylor has served as the fourth Vice President of the Association for the past five years and has also served as Vice Chairman of the Allied and Small Accommodation Sector.

She has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and has served as the Chairman of the Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments since 1989. This Association has been representing the villas and Apartments sector for more than 45 years and has lobbied the Government on several matters for its members.

In addition, over the years at various times, Ms. Taylor has been a member of several boards and has chaired several committees.

She is presently a member of the Jamaica Tourist Board Marketing Sub-Committee, a board member of the Tourism Product Development Company and Chair of the Product Quality/Tourism Training Sub-Committee; President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chair of the St. Ann/St. Mary Resort Board.

Ms. Taylor is also a devoted Catholic and Lay Leader, a Justice of the Peace and received a Badge of Honour from the Government in 2001 for her services to the Community and Tourism.

Speaking with JIS News, Ms. Taylor, said she is saddened by what the COVID-19 pandemic has done to tourism, notably the smaller players.

She, however, stated that she is encouraged by what the Government has been doing in the resort town of Ocho Rios as it relates to infrastructural development, noting that “tourism will be coming back very soon”.

“We must commend the Tourism Enhancement Fund for all the money they have poured into Ocho Rios over the years…  Turtle River Road…the promenade…the fishing village,” she pointed out.

She also commended the busi­nesses in Ocho Rios, the JHTA members, hotels, attractions, the Municipal Corporation, National Works Agency and other agencies working in St Ann.

“It’s a collective effort, so we’re really excited. We have a lot more work to do, but I think [that] working together as a team, we can continue to win more,” Ms. Taylor stated.