The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has appointed Latia Duncombe as Acting Director General, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. Dr. R. Kenneth Romer has been appointed Deputy Director General, filling the senior post in the Ministry’s leadership team after Duncombe was selected as Acting Director General.

Latia Duncombe

In August 2021 Duncombe was recruited as Deputy Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. She is a seasoned Bahamian business professional, bringing over 25 years of cross-industry experience in sales and marketing, public relations, finance and business analysis. Her positions and responsibilities range across local and international destinations throughout the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands.

“Latia Duncombe is a distinguished executive in marketing and sales, and we are confident she will bring invaluable oversight while further propelling The Bahamas as a leading destination,” said Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “ADG Duncombe will help me lead in the execution of our robust strategic growth plans for tourism and investments, as outlined in our Blueprint for Change.”

The Bahamas continues to be acknowledged and lauded as one of the very best destinations in the world, landing on annual award and hot lists of consumer and trade publications and organizations. Most notably, The New York Times and Travel + Leisure have recently recognized The Bahamas as a top place to go in 2022.

“I am honoured to represent the people of The Bahamas in continuing to drive a healthy tourism economy in our great island nation,” said Duncombe. “These recent years have been challenging as we navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but we look toward a more prosperous future with many accomplishments to celebrate in the months and years ahead.”

Duncombe was employed as a Senior Executive and the Head of Sales & Marketing for Rubis Bahamas and Rubis Turks & Caicos Limited before serving as Deputy Director General for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation.

Duncombe holds an MBA with Merit from the University of Liverpool, an Associates of Arts in Accounting with Distinction from the Bahamas Baptist Community College and is an Affiliate of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). She is equally committed to charitable and community work, serving as a REACH (Resources and Education for Autism Relates Challenges) board member. She is also a former Miss World Bahamas, youth parliamentarian and Red Cross volunteer.

Hailing from the island of Abaco, ADG Duncombe is married to Othniel Duncombe and has two energetic sons, Tré and Zion.

Dr. R. Kenneth Romer

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has appointed Dr. R. Kenneth Romer as Deputy Director General, filling the senior post in the Ministry’s leadership team after Latia Duncombe was selected as Acting Director General.

Dr. Romer has held a leadership position within the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism since 2019, serving as Executive Director overseeing airlift, cruise, yachting, visitor safety, sites and facilities, quality assurance, as well as brand management, research and statistics, guest services and special projects. He is a member of the Bahamas Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee as well as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, among others.

“Dr. Romer brings deep expertise across critical sectors that will be invaluable as he steps into this important role,” said Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “He is no stranger to the Ministry team, and will no doubt continue to make significant contributions as we bring our country back to pre-pandemic prosperity and growth.”

Over the past 25 years, Romer has served in senior level executive roles in both the private and public sectors throughout The Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, spanning key sectors across aviation, tourism and hospitality, as well as corporate and civic communities.

“This is a pivotal turning point for tourism, and I look forward to helping our great nation rebound and recover,” said Romer. “While the past two years have been a challenge, I’m confident in the path forward and am thrilled to bring my expertise to our country as Deputy Director General.”

Romer holds a Doctorate Degree with specializations in Leadership and Organizational Management as well as academic and professional credentials from Harvard University, University of The Bahamas, University of The West Indies, Cornell University, James Madison University, among others. He holds specialized certifications in both Contract and Aviation Laws; FAA Private Pilot; Human Resources Management; Executive Leadership; Educational Leadership; Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Management; Creating Innovative Business Models, and Infrastructural PPPs, among others. The recipient of numerous leadership awards, he continues to serve his country through many civic, community and statutory appointments.

Dr. Romer is married to his wife Crystal and has two children, Kenedee and Harper.