Pilar Bush, DoT Director

Ministry-level policymakers “hung out to dry” Director of Tourism Pilar Bush, in what led to the final scene in a long drama which culminated in her Wednesday, 21 May resignation.

“She was being pushed out,” said Leader of the Opposition Hon McKeeva Bush. “She was very capable, very intelligent, well-educated, a young Caymanian who worked hard.”

Reached overseas, Ms Bush declined to comment, but said she would return to the Cayman Islands at the weekend.

“I’m actually not in a position to say anything at the moment,” she said.

On Wednesday, the Department of Tourism Director resigned, effective 30 June, from the post she had held since 2005, citing “the best interests of my young family”.

Ms Bush became the target of intense public criticism on 2 May when she issued an apology to 23-year-old US tourist Aaron Chandler, detained by police on 30 April for kissing his male partner on a local dance floor.

While she resisted widespread calls for her resignation, the Ministry denied asking Ms Bush to write the apology and Minister of Tourism Hon Charles Clifford characterised Mr Chandler’s behaviour as “personally offensive”.

One observer said Mr Clifford had failed Ms Bush. “The Minister gave her no support, just hung her out to dry; that is one of the problems with that job. You are a tool, a pawn of the Ministry, which sets the tone and the direction, and approves the projects to pursue and the budget. The Ministry sets policy and you execute it.”

However, others said the public criticism had only been the final straw.

“Pilar Bush has been through far worse,” said a source close to the Department, “and this resignation has been in the works a long time. I think she endured enough and this gay kissing was just the last straw.”

In a prepared statement, however, Ms Bush said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Director of Tourism for my country for the past 3 1/2 years and to be part of a talented team of committed tourism professionals in the public and private sector. While this is perhaps one of the most exciting, challenging and fulfilling times to be Director of Tourism, this very hard decision has been made in the best interests of my young family.”

Another source close to Ms Bush underscored her “young family” statement: “It’s a demanding job, the telephone is always ringing and the email always full. She is a single parent with a small baby, and what kind of upbringing is that? This decision was made a long time ago; it was only a matter of timing.”

Chief Officer at the Ministry of Tourism Gloria McField-Nixon thanked Ms Bush for her service, pointing to post-Hurricane Ivan tourism recovery efforts and the strengthening of the DoT’s management team.
However, dismay characterised most reactions to the news.

“It’s a huge loss to the tourism industry, and it’s an extremely difficult job,” said immediate past President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Karie Bergstrom. “It takes a tremendous amount of time, and any replacement will have to have a passion for these islands, a passion for the industry and a strong backbone.”

Former Executive Director of the association, Ken Thompson, feared that few Caymanians had similar skills to Ms Bush.

“She devoted a great deal of time making this industry and this country what it is, and her replacement will be very difficult to find. I’m not sure there are people with the scope and the abilities on the island, and in addition you have to be bulletproof, fireproof and impervious to assault.

“Her resignation is a bit of a surprise, but on the other hand, she endured a great deal of personal attacks lately,” Mr Thompson said.

Ms Bush previously served as Director of Tourism under then Leader of Government Business and Minister of Tourism Mr Bush, succeeding American Lania Rittenhouse and quitting the post just prior to September 2004’s Hurricane Ivan. She returned shortly afterwards, however, reappointed in 2005 after the May election of the People’s Progressive Movement.

“I knew at the time that she had a lot to offer,” said Mr Bush, “and I am sorry to see her go. This happens far too often and now we have another Caymanian pushed out. She was loyal and trusting.”

Deputy Director of International Marketing, Shomari Scott, will be appointed Acting Director while Ms Bush’s job will be advertised both locally and abroad.

Others close to Ms Bush said she would shortly launch her own tourism consulting business, building on her previous experience promoting Cayman Islands tourism in Manhattan and throughout the US.

“And now what do you say?” Mr Bush asked.

“This happens far too often, and this is not good for the tourism industry or for young Caymanians.

What do you tell them?

We spend millions of dollars to get good schools and get people educated and what do you tell them now?

Too many good Caymanians have had to leave, and now another one has been pushed out.”

ted@caymannetnews.com