As we continue our Honouring, Empowering, Revolutionizing…HER series in commemoration of International Women’s Day, we turn the spotlight to another remarkable woman shaping Tobago’s tourism industry. This time, we had the privilege of speaking with Jacqueline Yorke-Westcott, Executive Chairman of the Mount Irvine Bay Resort in Tobago. Through her leadership, she guides the resort’s strategic direction, oversees its marketing, and manages its social media presence, ensuring its legacy remains strong.
Perched on the stunning coast of the Caribbean Sea, the Mount Irvine Bay Resort is an award winning 80 room property spread across 154 acres carved from an 18th century sugar and coconut plantation. Jacqueline is proud of the resort’s charm which cleverly integrates its historical buildings – notably the sugar mill, sugar depot and sugar factory, into food and beverage outlets and a modern spa and gym. The resort boasts three restaurants and four bars, providing a range of food and beverage options. The Mount Irvine Bay Resort is known for its friendly staff and quality events, like their weekly Fish Fry and bonfires, Jazz on the Beach, parties and its compatibility as wedding venue. Join us as we explore more of HER story.
What motivated you to pursue a career in tourism, and how have you navigated the challenges or opportunities unique to women in the industry?
“Tourism found me! I was actually an Organisational Development and Human Resources Consultant when I became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mount Irvine Bay Hotel Ltd upon the passing of my father, Dr. Robert Yorke in 2015. Until that time, I had limited hospitality industry experience. But I had a good mentor, supportive staff, and I found that my training in Civil Engineering, Human Resources, Organisational Development, and Corporate Services was exactly what I needed to do the job. Despite the prevalence of women in the industry, the industry is still very sexist. As a woman, you have to be very self-confident and wary of others’ motivations.”
Can you share a story where you felt empowered as a woman in tourism and how that experience shaped your career or perspective?
“One of my first tasks as Chairman was to rebrand the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel & Golf Club as the Mount Irvine Bay Resort. That involved a complete brand restructuring and renovation of the entire property. It was a lengthy, costly process and involved months of consultation with designers, industry professionals, and contractors. We began the process in 2015 and completed Phase 1 at the end of 2016, in time for our New Year’s Eve event – Barefoot on the Beach. When I saw the new furniture laid out, the new fixtures in place and all of the beautiful, new colours of the resort, my heart swelled. Employees were coming up to me and hugging me, they were so happy about the transformation. My daughter, who hadn’t visited the hotel while it was under renovation, saw the new resort for the first time and said “Wow! Mum you did an excellent job!”. At that point, all the late nights, hundreds of emails, hours spent personally selecting furniture fabrics and light fittings was worth it. I could see my imprint in everything, and I was so proud. We started winning awards again in 2015, after a long hiatus. We’ve won 36 awards from 2015 to date.”
How do you believe women in the tourism industry are helping to reshape the way we view travel, cultural exchange, and tourism development?
“Tobago is fortunate to have several excellent local examples of women leading the way in tourism – Gloria Jones-Knapp (Bacolet Beach Club), Nalini Galbaransingh (Le Gran Courland, Grafton Resort), Carol Ann Birchwood-James (Canoe Bay Beach Resort), Meisha Trim (Miss Trim Foods), Lana Drysdale (THTA). Our local labour force is female dominated, from housekeeping to management, and they bring passion and vitality to the industry. Young women considering a role in tourism therefore have several role models, and visitor experiences are shaped by their interactions with local tourism professionals.”
In your opinion, what steps can be taken to create more inclusive spaces and opportunities for women in leadership roles within tourism and hospitality?
“I would like central government and the THA to expand the hospitality institute. We could create a world-class learning centre in Tobago, open to students not just from other Caribbean islands, but the world. If Tobago is serious about tourism, we need a skilled workforce to meet the demand that will be created by new properties and experiences.”
In your opinion, what are some of the untapped opportunities for women in tourism, and how can we encourage more women to explore these avenues?
“We lack multilingual employees. This is a must for world-class service standards. Travel patterns have changed considerably in the past 10 years, and especially since Covid. Latin American travellers are increasingly turning to Caribbean destinations, and we should be ready to welcome them. Additionally, not everyone needs to be front-of-house. There are many opportunities in Marketing, Accounting, Administration, IT, and HSSE for example.”
What advice would you give to young women and girls aspiring to enter the tourism industry, and how can they use their unique perspectives to drive positive change?
“Be multiskilled and multi-disciplinary. Use every opportunity to learn. Take courses, attend webinars, apply for internships, and travel as much as possible.
Jacqueline, thank you for sharing your inspiring story and such critical insights. We share your excitement and commend your passion for excellence and going above and beyond ordinary!