A top executive at the Bermuda Tourism Authority is to leave after five years in the job.

Pat Phillip-Fairn, the chief product and experiences development officer, will step down in April for family reasons.

Ms Phillip-Fairn said: “I feel like I’m leaving a family at work.

“The only way to successfully complete the difficult, important work in tourism is to do it with a group of people who are passionate, committed and working cohesively.

“Bermuda’s tourism industry benefits from those people, inside and outside of the BTA.

She added: “I’m truly gratified about what we’ve accomplished at the BTA over the past five years and it was a privilege to do it with a team of people so talented and close-knit. It’s the part of the work I think I will miss the most.”

A BTA spokesman said the organisation had started the recruitment process to fill the post, which it previously reported carries an annual salary of between $175,000 and $275,000.

Kevin Dallas, the BTA chief executive, added: “While I’m sad to have a valued leader in our organisation depart, pride is what I feel most when I look back at the enormous accomplishments of Pat and her team over the past five years.

“Under Pat’s leadership, her division has shepherded a new wave of tourism product and experiences that cater to younger visitors who are more adventurous and experiential.

“This work has proven critical because it not only improves the experience of travellers, but also increases visitor spending, boosts our economy and creates new opportunities for Bermudian entrepreneurs and job seekers.”

Erica Smith, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation executive director, said: “Pat and I have worked closely together over the last few years in growing tourism entrepreneurship in Bermuda.

“She has been a fierce advocate for highlighting and developing Bermuda’s entrepreneurial talent and offerings in the tourism sector, while growing the product and experiences remit by leaps and bounds.

“Always looking to connect Bermuda’s tourism entrepreneurs with new opportunities, our island’s tourism sector is better off for Pat being in it. She will be a miss in that regard.”

Ms Phillip-Fairn joined the BTA in April 14, 2014 after serving as the deputy director of corporate governance and communications at the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

In the post, she worked with other organisations to build on the success of the Bermuda Heroes Weekend Carnival, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, the Bermuda Street Food Festival and the Peppercorn Ceremony.

She also worked to build Bermuda as a sports tourism destination.

She promoted existing events such as the Newport Bermuda Race and worked to launch new ones such as the Antigua Bermuda race.

The BTA spokeswoman said Ms Phillip-Fairn was part of the successful bid to host the ITU World Triathlon.

She added: “Since winning the bid she has been at the forefront of management efforts to ensure the Bermuda Government, Bermuda Triathlon Association, the International Triathlon Union, Upsolut Sports and the BTA are all working together to put on a world-class event.”