Fort Lauderdale, FL, August 15, 2019 – USA – Linville Johnson, a Sr. Executive of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) has joined a privileged list. The group includes Tourism Ministers, Governors, CEO’s and Presidents of major national organizations and associations who are all among past recipients of the coveted Apex Award, presented annually by Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine.
Johnson, currently responsible for BMOTA’s
Multi-Cultural Market development, was one of the recipients of the Award at
the recent Annual gala culminating the National Association of Black Hotel
Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) and the International Multicultural
and Heritage Summit and Trade Show at the Marriott’s Biscayne Bay Hotel, Miami,
Florida.
The Florida International University alumni
was awarded for his “Distinguished Service” in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. His career to date has spanned more than
three decades and includes the beginning of his career at the former Britannia
Beach Hotel, Paradise Island, Nassau. In his years with Bahamas Tourism He has
successfully managed the organization’s Tourist Offices in major U.S. cities
including Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York and Miami.
Some of the highlights of Johnson’s lengthy
career with BMOTA includes his creation and development of the organization’s
Religious Market with the help of deceased Bahamian televangelist, Myles Munroe
and well-known Bahamian evangelist, Neil Ellis.
Johnson also was one of the pioneer’s with
BMOTA’s Latin American Market and assisted in the development and growth of the
market within the organization. He was
also responsible for the formation of BMOTA’ s Vertical Markets strategy that
started with some 12 markets and was later narrowed down to six areas which now
include, Fishing, Boating, Diving, Private Flying, Religious Markets and
Weddings and Honeymoon.
The Sr. Tourism executive in promoting
tourism to The Islands Of The Bahamas, have worked with large groups and
organizations across the U.S. Black
Enterprise, The National Urban League, The National Coalition of Black Meeting
Planners and the National Black Caucus are a few of the major organizations
that Johnson has worked closely with.
During Johnson’s leadership stint with the Religious
Market, The Islands Of The Bahamas played host to some of the most influential
spiritual leaders in the Christian faith such as T.D. Jakes, Rod Parsley, Benny
Hinn, Tony Evans, Paula White and Promise Keepers International.
Recognizing Johnson’s expansive contribution to BMOTA the Deputy Director General of Tourism, Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson said, “Linville has indeed provided outstanding service to the development and growth of tourism to The Bahamas from across the USA.
He has served in numerous capacities with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation in Nassau and in cities across the U.S. over the past few decades and this award is a great way to recognize his continuous long and dedicated service in our field.”
Johnson’s hard work was also recognized
early in his career when he received a Ministry of Tourism Sales Person of The
Year Award, that was given to the Sales Representative whose territory showed
the greatest increase in sales for a designated period.
A resident of Coral Springs, Florida,
Johnson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in tourism marketing and hospitality
management from Florida International University. He is currently pursuing
graduate studies at the University of Miami and the University of Pittsburgh.