George Myers (hotelier)

George Myers (c. 1939 – 17 February 2023) was a Bahamian hotelier and businessman. He was credited with playing a major part in the development of Paradise Island into a premier tourist destination in the Bahamas.^[1]

Early life

Myers was born in Jamaica,^[2] where his family was in the hotel business.^[1][3] As a child, he worked in family-owned Miranda Lodge in Montego Bay.^[1]

Career

Myers worked in London as a management trainee at the Westbury Hotel before moving to the Bahamas in 1963.^[1] He started out as a bar manager before working his way up to hotel vice-president.^[4] Myers was executive vice president of Resorts International^[2] from 1977 to 1992.^[1] The group operated numerous hotels and resorts in the Bahamas which Myers oversaw.

In 1992, Myers founded the Myers Group^[5] and served as its chair and CEO. The Myers Group owns the Bahamian franchises for Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and Quiznos Subs.^[1][4] The group previously operated the Radisson Cable Beach Hotel.

In 1970, he was chair of the Nassau and Paradise Island Visitors and Groups Promotion Board.^[6] Myers also served as chair of the Paradise Island Tourism Board.^[3] Myers was president of the Bahamas Hotel Employers Association, the Bahamas Hotel Association,^[4][7] and the Caribbean Hotel Association.^[4][1]

Awards

In 1980, Myers was named the Caribbean Hotel Association's Hotelier of the Year.^[2][3][4] In 1998, he was given the government's Silver Jubilee Award^[4] in recognition of "outstanding contribution to national development, in particular, in tourism". In 2006, Myers was awarded the Sir Clement Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cacique Awards.^[4] In 2009, he was awarded the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce's Achievement Award.^[1]

In 2022, Myers was awarded the Order of Merit, the country's highest honour.^[4][5]

Death

Myers died on 17 February 2023, at the age of 83.^[8] He was survived by his wife and step-daughter.^[4][5]