Polly's passion is tourism

ASK ANYONE in Port Antonio to direct you to Cynthia 'Polly' Perry, and without hesitation, he or she will point you in the right direction. Such is the measure of the influence of this lady who, although not from the parish of Portland, has made Port Antonio her home for the greater part of her life.

In fact, she attended the Mount Pleasant Primary School in Portland, where she distinguished herself in the 4H movement by becoming the champion girl for the parish in cake baking. She then returned to the parish of her birth to attend the Montego Bay High School, before pursuing teacher training studies at Church Teachers' College in Manchester.

At the end of her training, she took a teaching job at Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, and further immersed herself in the life of the community. Along the way, she represented her adopted town in the Miss Jamaica beauty contest and emerged winner for the parish. She also got married.

HEEDED THE CALL OF TOURISM

RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER National Honours recipient Hyacinth 'Polly' Perry, accepts her award from Governor- General Sir Howard Cooke

In 1981, she heeded the call of tourism, and became the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) area manager. Later, with the restructuring of the JTB, her title was changed to regional manager, with the emphasis now being on a more multi-
lateral approach to promote resorts.

Polly's passion is Portland where she is known for her involvement in every facet of civic life, and for her extensive work in developing and aggressively promoting tourism in the parish.

She is a lay magistrate and a Justice of the Peace. She is also the former chairman of the Portland branch of the Jamaica Red Cross, a member of the national executive of the Red Cross, and an executive member of both the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, and the Portland Environmental Protection Association, as well as council member for the 4-H Club.

Her work and worth have been duly rewarded by a number of independent bodies, including the New Testament Church of God for her 'invaluable service in the tourism sector', as well as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and the Lions Club, for the 'invaluable service given'.

In spite of her deep involvement in community tourism, Polly continues to equip herself for the challenges of tourism development in her community and beyond.

In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the West Indies, a certificate course in management principles, from the Institute of Management and Production, and a diploma in hotel management and
management in tourism, at the Salzburger Tourism Institute in Austria, Polly also holds a Master's degree in hospitality and tourism management, and is seeking to pursue doctoral studies.

She was one of 47 recipients of the Order of Distinction, officer class, for her 'service to tourism' in the recent National Heroes Day awards ceremony at King's House ­ a fitting tribute to a life of sacrifice, commitment and selflessness.