Statement from Caribbean Tourism Organization on passing of interim secretary general Arley Sobers

It is with the greatest sadness that the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has been advised of the sudden, unfortunate and untimely passing of interim secretary general and director of Information

It is with the greatest sadness that the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has been advised of the sudden, unfortunate and untimely passing of interim secretary general and director of Information Management and Research, Mr. Arley Sobers. Mr. Sobers was on overseas mission when he passed away in New York today, August 14.

According to CTO chairman Allen Chastanet, โ€œArley was a hard working, dedicated and committed member of the CTO family, selflessly giving over 20 years of his life to the organization. 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.

โ€œArley was never shy to do whatever was necessary for the good of the CTO and the Caribbean region on a whole. He always answered the call whenever the organization and/or the regionโ€™s tourism sector needed him. Nothing exemplifies his dedication like his willingness to lead the organization on an interim basis on two occasions in the past three years or so, while we sought a Secretary General.

โ€œHis passing is a tremendous loss, not just to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, 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,โ€ concluded Chastanet.

Former CTO secretary general and current Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said, โ€œWe 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.โ€

Details on funeral services are not yet available.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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