The Honourable Richard Llewellyn Sealy, M.P., was duly elected to represent the constituency of St. Michael South Central in May 2003 and was appointed as this country’s Minister of Tourism in January 2008 and again assumed this portfolio following his party’s victory at the February 21, 2013 General Elections on February 28, 2013, with the addition of International Transport.
He received his secondary education at Harrison College and pursued tertiary studies at the University of Florida, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree in Civil Engineering and received a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
A Civil Engineer by profession, Mr. Sealy has served on the Film Censorship Board (1991-1994), the Engineering Registration Board (1991-1994), as well as the National Assistance Board (1991-1994). He is also a member of the Barbados Cancer Society.
Actively involved in community service, he is a former Vice President of the Democratic Labour Party and is a Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and is the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy.
While in Opposition (2003-2008), Mr. Sealy has shadowed several portfolios, including Industry and International Business, Foreign Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development, International Transport and Health.
Some of the initiatives Mr. Sealy has been responsible for during this tenure as Minister of Tourism include:
– $25 million Tourism Industry Relief Fund (TIRF) for tourism businesses affected by the recent global economic crisis.
– The establishment of a special program to encourage greater participation of the Barbadian Diaspora in the promotion of Barbados’ vital tourism industry.
– The development of Latin America, specifically Brazil as a legitimate source market for destination Barbados.
– The initiation of the process of creating Barbados’ first Tourism Master Plan.
– The initiation of the process to reform the public sector institutions that govern the tourism sector.
– The greater use of information technology in the context of marketing Barbados tourism product offering.
– The implementation of a number of events specifically designed to boost visitor arrivals in the sporting and cultural market niches.
Mr. Sealy is the firm believer that every Barbadian who has been blessed with special skills and has developed specific competencies should use those gifts in service of their country.