Barbara Furey, a publishing specialist and long-time supporter and contributor to the promotion and marketing of the Caribbean region, has died from complications following a short illness. She was 76 years of age. She worked alongside her partner and husband, James Furey, for more than 40 years representing the interests of the Caribbean in an assortment of projects, many which left a legacy that will long be remembered by many people in the Region as well as North America.
Barbara graduated from Rutgers University and in one of her first jobs rose to Assistant Plant Manager for Colgate-Palmolive in Jersey City, NJ. In the early 1980s Barbara was one of the forces behind the launching of the Caribbean Sales Seminars, a forerunner of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Annual Conference that brought hundreds of travel agents to the Region each year for educational programs that enabled these travel professionals to better promote and sell the Caribbean destinations. She was an active member of the CTO Chapter system and served as President of the Greater New York Chapter in the early 2000s.
Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization said: “Barbara and Jim are an important part of the proud history of the CTO and have been champions of the Caribbean brand for as long as any of us can remember.”
She was also an integral part of the Caribbean Hotel Association Small Hotels Advisory Committee which went into destinations to help them focus on how to improve their image and promote tourism. Her efforts in countries such as Dominica, St. John’s, St. Croix and Anguilla and others helped those destinations proudly grow their tourism product. She also helped launch the Caribbean Culinary Federation along with Bill Moore and others working in conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel Association.
As partner of Furey and Associates, she helped produce countless newspaper and magazine sections with editorial and advertising that promoted the Caribbean. These sections appeared in publications such as US News & World Reports, USA Today, The New York Times, Newark Star Ledger, Cleveland Plain Dealer and many more.
Furey and Associates grew to become the leading publication representation company in the U.S., primarily promoting sun destinations, and working with all the top publications. The reputation of the company was impeccable and drew some of the top travel writers and editors to work with them in producing special travel sections.
Jim and Barbara retired in 2015 and moved to their country home in Pennsylvania. Barbara is survived by her husband Jim and, a brother and sister, 9 nieces and nephews and 15 grand nieces and nephews. Funeral will take place Tuesday, January 16 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Hawley, PA.