A worldwide search will be launched to find a new chief executive officer for the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The announcement came 11 months after Kevin Dallas quit the post.

Glenn Jones, the organisation’s chief experience development officer, has been the interim CEO since last March.

A BTA spokeswoman said: “The re-establishment of tourism as a genuine twin pillar of Bermuda’s economy is vital to the social and economic success of the island.

“These extraordinary times demand that we acquire the precise talent needed at all levels of the organisation.

“A global CEO search will be launched and this will provide the opportunity for the Bermuda Tourism Authority to determine what expertise is available and how we best position the organisation to discharge its critical mission on behalf of Bermuda.

“An open, transparent, and rigorous process will be led by the BTA’s board and the aim is to secure the services of an individual best suited to advance the core goals of the National Tourism Plan and to see us beyond pandemic recovery to an era of Bermuda as the ultimate destination of choice for travellers.”

She added: “The BTA could not have been better positioned for its next phase of growth and development without the dedication, commitment and tireless efforts of interim CEO Glenn Jones.

“His steadying hand and presence have provided encouragement to the valued staff and he has been a bridge between stakeholders and local tourism economy participants during a period of great uncertainty.

“We owe him our collective gratitude.”

Mr Dallas became group head of marketing and communications for Butterfield Bank last September.

The BTA also announced that Douglas Trueblood will be its next chief sales and marketing officer, filling the post left vacant by Victoria Isley last November.

He was described as "a veteran marketing leader with diverse global experience in high profile hospitality brands“.

Mr Trueblood will take up his role with the BTA on Monday.

Wayne Caines, the tourism authority’s chairman, said: "Douglas has the precise global experience, skill set and energy needed to lead our sales and marketing efforts at this unique moment in history.

“Bermuda’s pandemic management and the BTA’s strategy-building have the island’s tourism product well-positioned for recovery as the world prepares to return to travel."

Mr Trueblood was in a senior leadership role at the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, where he managed an annual budget of up to $20 million.

The BTA spokeswoman said: “During his tenure in the Bahamas, he developed effective marketing strategies and led a team of 13 which drove sales and promoted the destination.

“Before his most recent role in the Caribbean, Trueblood worked for destinations, resorts and theme parks in the United States, Singapore, Japan, Dubai and Poland.

“Meantime, in the media arena, he has vast experience delivering strategic marketing initiatives for leading publications including Billboard Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and America's largest metropolitan US newspaper, the Los Angeles Times.”

Mr Trueblood said: “I've enjoyed meeting the people in leadership at the Bermuda Tourism Authority and I look forward to joining the talented team there which has put together an impressive body of work over the past several years.

“I’m honoured to be a part of this team and eager to start working on the country’s tourism recovery.”

He will manage all aspects of the BTA’s sales, marketing and communications to travellers, guided by the Bermuda National Tourism Plan.

The BTA spokeswoman added: “Recruitment for the CSMO post began in earnest at the end of October 2020 following the vacancy announcement.

“The selection committee advertised locally and internationally.”

Mr Trueblood’s appointment came as Tracy Berkeley, a human resources executive at the BTA, was promoted to a new position of chief administrative officer.