The chief sales and marketing officer at the Bermuda Tourism Authority is to leave for a new job in the United States, it was reported today.

Victoria Isley, who earned between $310,000 and $320,00 at the BTA, has been hired as president and chief executive officer of the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau in North Carolina, the Asheville Citizen Times newspaper reported.

Stephen Todd, the deputy chairman of the BTA board, later confirmed the news.

Ms Isley said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to be part of the BTA team over the last six-and-a-half years.

“I’m proud of the collective work and results we have delivered for Bermuda—from my early days joining a small bid team to win the America’s Cup for Bermuda to introducing the island to a new generation of traveller and boosting vacation air arrivals.

“The island and people will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish the collective community and tourism industry well in its recovery. Bermuda deserves to shine.”

Mr Todd added: “Victoria Isley’s contributions to Bermuda’s tourism industry are mammoth and will be missed.

“On behalf of the BTA board, its staff and, indeed, the island’s hospitality industry as a whole, we offer our sincere gratitude to Vic for her almost seven years of service as chief sales & marketing officer.

“Her passion for Bermuda is palpable and that sparkles through in her work as a creative strategist, promoting the island so effectively around the world.

“We have no doubt Vic’s next career move will be filled with much success; we wish her well in her future endeavours.”

Mr Todd said: “The board of directors will focus its attention on overseeing the recruitment of a new chief sales & marketing officer, while at the same time, solidifying the organisation’s next chief executive officer.”

The article said Ms Isley would start her new job on December 1.

She spent more than six years at the BTA, where she managed a $25 million annual budget and had responsibility for a New York City office with a staff of 19.

Ms Isley was also in charge of the authority’s global marketing, sales, crisis communications, media relations, social media and promotions.