They Died 2020

WESTERN BUREAU: H EINZ SIMONITSCH, the man cred- ited with positioning the pairing of luxury resorts with environ- mental sustainability, has died. The Austria-born hotelier, who was responsible for significant growth and recognition of Montego Bay’s Half Moon hotel, died at age 93 en route to a hospital in the tourism capital on Sunday. Simonitsch spent 39 years at Half Moon, first as general manager, then managing director. His death has left the tourism industry in mourning, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told The Gleaner on Sunday night. “He was a stalwart and one of the most outstanding tourism administrators, planners, and missionaries of the Caribbean,” Bartlett stated in a tribute to the man whose illustrious career spanned the presidency of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association. Three years ago, Simonitsch made history when he was named the first recipient of the CHTA ICON Award for his contribution to the sector. He also co-founded the SOS Children’s Villages in Jamaica. In his tribute, Bartlett spoke of the pivotal role Simonitsch played in the positioning of Jamaica’s high-end products, becoming a leader in the region of exquisite tourism offerings, of which Half Moon became a standard-bearer. The tourism minister also spoke of Simonitsch’s role in building human capital and the establishment of the Heinz Simonitsch School in St James, which he said will stand as a monument of his commitment to sustainable development and youth empowerment. Simonitsch, who served as honorary consul general for the Austrian Embassy, died leaving wife Elizabeth and two daughters. janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com Published July 20, 2020 Tourism stalwart Heinz Simonitsch dies He was a stalwart and one of the most out- standing tourism administrators, planners, and missionaries of the Caribbean,” HE I NZ S IMON I T SCH