The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has confirmed the appointment of five key personnel to help the newly-formed organisation revitalise the industry.

Erin Smith has been hired as the authority’s Director of Research and Business Intelligence and will assist in product development, marketing and investment strategies. Ms Smith was previously employed as the Director of Marketing and Operations for the Bermuda Tourism Board and has also worked for a number of advertising agencies on the Island.

Tashae Thompson has been tasked with developing and managing leisure and cultural events and experiences for Bermuda visitors as Culture and Leisure Events Manager. Ms Thompson previously worked for the Bermuda Department of Tourism, (BDOT) which officially hands over control of the industry to the BTA on March 1.

Another former BDOT employee, Adam Barboza, has been taken on as Sports and Event Development Manager. Mr Barboza has been with BDOT since 2002 first as Market Research Officer until 2005 when he was promoted to Manager, Sports Marketing. In this role, he was charged with the development, implementation and tracking of numerous sports-related tourism events including the signature PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the Newport to Bermuda Race and World Rugby Classic plus various others on the annual sports tourism calendar.

And former BDOT graphic designer Lyn Winford. is the BTA’s new Creative Services Manager. Ms. Winford will be working with the Marketing Manager to develop all creative materials for sales, trade shows and events, external customers and agencies.

Event planner Rasheeda Burgess has been brought aboard in the Product and Experience Development Department as Assistant Product Development Manager supporting the Sports and Events Development Manager, Cultural and Leisure Events Manager and External Coordination Manager. Ms Burgess has been a part of the BTA Transition Team since September 2013 as Project Coordinator.

A BTA spokesman said that all five appointees are Bermudian of spouses of Bermudians.

This morning, BTA CEO Bill Hanbury said: “We are extremely excited to welcome these five new team members to the BTA. I believe the skills and experience these individuals bring to the table will help us to fulfil our goal as a dynamic and collaborative organisation to revitalise tourism in Bermuda.

“We are very pleased to now be starting to fill out the BTA with dedicated, skilled professionals. We look forward to continuing to update Bermuda as the process of building our team continues.”

In last week’s Budget it was confirmed that the BTA will be given a $23.1 million Government grant to fund tourism initiatives in the coming year.