CTO shock at sudden death of Arley Sobers
Caribbean Tourism Organisation interim secretary general and director of information management and research Arley Sobers (60) has died suddenly.
He was on overseas mission when he passed away in New York last Thursday.
CTO Chairman Allen Chastanet led tributes, saying: “Arley was a hard working, dedicated and committed member of the CTO family, selflessly giving over 20 years of his life to the organisation.
“His passion for research and information management was unparalleled and his work on the development of an information management system for tourism in the Caribbean was revolutionary at the time. Quiet by nature, his work spoke volumes for itself.
“Arley was never shy to do whatever was necessary for the good of CTO and the Caribbean region on a whole. He always answered the call whenever the organisation and/or the region’s tourism sector needed him. Nothing exemplifies his dedication like his willingness to lead the organisation on an interim basis on two occasions in the past three years or so, while we sought a secretary general.â€
Chastanet added: “His passing is a tremendous loss, not just to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, but to the entire Caribbean region.
“Our prayers and best wishes go out to his wife, Margaret and immediate family, as well as the Caribbean tourism family that he adopted in his more than decades of service.â€
Julia Hendry, CTO UK and European marketing director, said: “On behalf of the CTO in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands I would like to express our heartfelt condolences for the loss of such a pioneer and champion of Caribbean tourism.
“Over the past twenty years Arley’s wise work has helped us to understand major trends and developments and plan tourism marketing strategies that have benefited everyone who works in Caribbean tourism. His commitment to gathering statistical information was matched only by his commitment to ensuring the results of that work helped us to build and drive tourism arrivals across the region.
“Arley had a huge generosity of spirit and an enquiring mind which enabled him to see every issue from many people’s perspectives. His calm, thoughtful and considered approach will be sorely missed by everyone who counted him as a friend as well as a colleague.”
Former CTO secretary general and current minister of tourism for the Bahamas Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said: “We in the CTO family have lost our heart and the Caribbean has lost a brilliant, passionate and compassionate friend in the passing of Arley Sobers.
“He was my sounding board, my confidant, my advisor and my great friend during my years at CTO and long before. He helped to establish and solidified CTO’s global reputation as a source of information on the Caribbean. Few people are irreplaceable but Arley comes as close as any. We all consider ourselves a part of Arley’s family and mourn our great loss with Margaret and all of Arley’s family and friends.â€
Details on funeral arrangements are not yet available.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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