A pioneer in Jamaica’s tourism sector, Robert Hendricks, has died after ailing for months.

Hendricks, the owner of Caribbean World Vacations, which is one of the largest destination management companies in Jamaica, died at his home in St James on December 29. He was 75.

Hendricks entered the tourism sector in the late 1970s, starting out as the owner of Lollipop on the Beach in Sandy Bay, Hanover and then went on to set up Caribbean World Enterprises in St James. He also partnered in the establishment of the Aquasol Beach Complex in Montego Bay.

Years later, he joined the ground and tour operating company Tropical Tours in sales and marketing. In 2020, he was recognised with the Spirit of Independence Award by the St James Municipal Corporation for his outstanding contribution to the tourism sector.

Stakeholders saddened

In the meantime, several tourism stakeholders including Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and his Opposition counterpart, Senator Janice Allen, have paid tribute to Hendricks for his contributions to the local tourism industry. Bartlett, in a release, described Hendricks as one of the pillars of Jamaica’s post-independence tourism industry.

According to him, “Robert was one of those notable Jamaicans who had an abiding faith in his country and was a firm believer in the contribution tourism could make to its development and the economic life of the people.” He noted that Hendricks’ contribution to tourism accumulatively spanned over 40 years and that he was a trailblazer in all aspects of the word.

Bartlett added: “Robert Hendricks was a firm believer in Jamaicans owning a share of the tourism pie and being involved at senior management levels. He demonstrated this as an entrepreneur in the tours, ground transportation, and entertainment subsectors of the industry.”

In concluding, Bartlett praised Hendricks for actually revolutionising tourism marketing and sales, pioneering the introduction of tour guides and opening up thinking to different levels of marketing concepts that have been emulated by others in the tourism industry.

For her part, Allen remarked: “I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Robert’s passing. Robert, well-known in the industry, particularly within the transportation sector, made significant contributions to our tourism product.”

She pointed to his numerous contributions to the industry, which notably created many employment opportunities for the people in his parish. “His work with ‘Lollipop on the Beach’ placed Sandy Bay, Hanover, on the tourism map, as it became a signature attraction and a major employer for the community. During this difficult time, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Allen added.