Bill Hanbury, the CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, will step down from his post at the end of 2016 upon conclusion of his three-year contract. In a statement, the BTA's board of directors said it will begin the search for a new chief executive officer this summer.
"Bill's upcoming departure was not unexpected, as his three-year contract comes to an end with the BTA. We now turn our attention to implementing our succession plan. It is time for the BTA to move into phase two of rebuilding Bermuda's tourism industry," said board chairman David Dodwell.
He added: "When Bill leaves us in December, it will be on a high note: We have seen positive results since the start of 2016 and we fully expect this trend line to continue throughout the rest of year." Hanbury was the organization's first CEO when the BTA was formed in 2014 to replace the Bermuda Department of Tourism. "In just a little more than two years," said Dodwell, "Mr. Hanbury, along with a dedicated team, built the BTA from the ground up -- establishing world-class standards that include full accreditation from Destination Marketing Association International, an unqualified audit and a highly motivated workforce."