In doing so, he hailed the value of agents to the future growth of the sector and stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with the trade. 

Dawson said agents are still the primary drivers of the island’s tourism industry and dismissed the idea that online travel agencies (OTA) would eliminate the need for traditional advisors.

"Let nobody fool you, I’ve heard it again and again for 40 years: ‘Oh, the retailers are going to go out of business with the OTAs’ – but they’re still here," he added.

"I have convinced people that the retail trade is still here to stay. They’re not going anywhere, and that, to me, is probably one of my crowning achievements that I would reflect on." 

Speaking at the Routes Americas conference in Chicago last week, Dawson reflected on his professional journey and the changes he has seen during his tenure, including efforts to increase air connectivity to Jamaica.

"Jamaica is deeply indebted to Donnie Dawson for his decades of service to develop and promote tourism to the island," said Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism.

"He has been a steadfast ambassador throughout the years, dedicated to helping Jamaica become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations."

In his retirement, Dawson plans to work on his golf game and spend time with his grandchildren.