The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) has announced the appointment of seasoned marketing and business executive Shafia T. T. London as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026.
London’s appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and comes at a time when the tourism sector continues to experience significant growth and increased international attention. She will serve an initial three-year term and is expected to lead efforts aimed at strengthening, modernising and sustainably expanding the country’s tourism industry.
The Tourism Authority described London as a transformational leader with nearly two decades of experience spanning marketing, business development, corporate leadership and regional stakeholder engagement.
Her professional journey includes service as Executive Director of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Marketing Manager at St. Vincent Brewery Ltd. She later advanced to senior regional leadership positions within the Barbados-based Banks Holdings Limited Group, serving as Group Marketing Manager, Group Commercial Manager and Country Head.
Following a corporate merger and acquisition, London also served as General Manager within the SLU Group of Companies, a member of the KOSCAB Group.
In addition to her corporate achievements, London has maintained a strong presence in regional business and policy circles. She most recently served as First Vice President of the Barbados Manufacturing Association and represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a technical representative to the Caribbean Private Sector Organization.
She is also an active entrepreneur and brings a combination of private-sector experience, strategic planning expertise and regional business insight to the role.
Speaking on her appointment, London said her immediate focus will be on strengthening the destination brand, modernizing marketing strategies and building stronger partnerships across the tourism industry.
“Together with the Minister, Board and team at the SVGTA, my immediate focus as CEO is to transform our destination as a brand, elevate our marketing strategies, and forge stronger alliances with local, regional and international stakeholders,” London stated.
She emphasized that attracting visitors and investors remains a key objective but noted that enhancing the visitor experience and creating greater economic opportunities for local communities will be equally important.
“We must enhance the on-island experience for every visitor while expanding opportunities for local communities, ensuring the economic benefits of tourism are felt widely and equitably,” she said.
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, Dr. Kishore Shallow, welcomed the appointment, describing London as a highly accomplished professional whose expertise will help position the destination for continued success in an increasingly competitive global tourism market.
“Shafia brings a wealth of administrative and marketing expertise and will be an invaluable asset to the Tourism Authority as we continue to accelerate growth in an increasingly competitive tourism industry,” Minister Shallow said.
London’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, a Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering from University College London, and a Master of Business Administration with Distinction from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. She is also currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration.
Among her first priorities as CEO will be stakeholder consultations across the tourism sector, expansion of airlift opportunities and efforts to further elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ profile within key international tourism markets.
The SVG Tourism Authority said it looks forward to a new chapter under London’s leadership as it continues its mission of promoting the destination, enhancing tourism standards and driving sustainable growth throughout the sector.