Bahamas Ministry of Tourism names Jackson Weech director general
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has appointed Jackson Alexander Weech as director general. The appointment takes effect on 1 October 2026. The ministry announced the change on 28 September 2026.
Weech brings more than 35 years of tourism leadership experience across The Bahamas, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom to the ministry's senior executive team.
Weech succeeds Latia Duncombe
Weech succeeds Latia Duncombe, who led the ministry as director general for more than four years. She served first in an acting capacity from January 2022 and was formally appointed in January 2023.
Duncombe's last day as director general was 22 September 2026. She moves to the Office of the Prime Minister as an advisor, The Nassau Guardian reported.
Duncombe was the third woman to serve as the ministry's technical head. She replaced Joy Jibrilu, now chief executive officer of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board.
Three record years for visitor arrivals
Minister of Tourism Glenys Hanna Martin credited Duncombe with overseeing three consecutive record years for visitor arrivals. The Bahamas recorded 12.5 million visitors in 2025.
During her tenure the ministry's tourism team launched "A Lifetime of Islands", a campaign that covered all 16 of the country's principal island destinations.
"I thank Latia Duncombe for her service as director general," Hanna Martin said. "She was only the third woman to serve as technical head of this ministry, and she served with purpose."
Most recently at The Royal Towers, Atlantis Paradise Island
Weech most recently served as vice president and general manager of The Royal Towers at Atlantis Paradise Island. There he provided executive oversight of hotel operations, financial performance, guest experience, capital planning and the development of senior leadership teams.
His earlier roles at Atlantis Paradise Island included vice president of hotel operations.
Sandals, SuperClubs and the wider Caribbean
Weech served as hotel manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Negril. He was general manager of SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas for 15 years. He also worked across several of the company's hotel properties in Jamaica.
Earlier in his career Weech held human resources and labour relations roles. These included assistant executive director of the Bahamas Hotel Employers' Association, where he represented member hotels in mediation and arbitration and advised on industrial agreements.
Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association president
Weech has served as president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association since December 2024. He was elected at the association's 72nd annual general meeting, succeeding Robert "Sandy" Sands after two consecutive terms.
His career spans hotel operations, sales and marketing, strategic planning, financial management, labour relations and tourism industry advocacy.
The director general's brief
As director general, Weech will provide technical leadership to the ministry as it builds on tourism performance in 2026. The year has featured continued growth in stopover arrivals and several record-setting months.
He has worked with government, tourism stakeholders and international industry partners on airlift development, workforce development, infrastructure, product improvement and the destination's competitiveness.
"I am honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as director general of the Ministry of Tourism," Weech said. "I have spent my career in this industry and have had the privilege of working alongside many of the people and organisations that make Bahamian tourism successful."
"I look forward to bringing that experience into the ministry and working with Minister Hanna Martin, the ministry's team and our partners throughout the industry to advance the continued growth and development of tourism in The Bahamas."
Hotel management training
Weech holds a Higher National Diploma in Hotel Management from Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland. He holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from the Bahamas Hotel Training College. He also completed the Executive Development Program at Cornell University.
Hanna Martin on the appointment
Hanna Martin said Weech's experience would strengthen the ministry as it seeks to sustain tourism growth and expand the sector's economic benefits.
"He understands this industry from the ground up, from the people who deliver the visitor experience every day to the businesses, stakeholders and partners who drive the success of our tourism economy," she said.
"His experience, relationships and knowledge of the sector will strengthen the ministry's capacity to execute our tourism priorities and position The Bahamas for continued growth."