MONTEGO BAY — Jamaica’s top-selling travel agents took centre stage at the annual One Love Affair gala and incentive trip last week in Montego Bay.
Hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the trip welcomed 50 top performers, including 15 Canadian travel advisors from the Jamaica Travel Specialist (JTS) program. All advisors and their guests were treated to an exclusive three-night getaway in Jamaica, including all-inclusive accommodations, a bespoke culinary experience with Chukka Trails & Travel, an Island Routes sailing excursion, and an all-white beach party at Sandals Montego Bay.
The trip culminated in the One Love Affair award dinner and ceremony at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach on Dec. 5. In keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Roots, Rock and Reggae,’ attendees were invited to celebrate Jamaica’s rich musical history by donning red, green, gold and black formalwear. In addition to the presentation of awards, the gala included a special tribute to longstanding JTB Chairman John Lynch, as well as a live musical performance from the Blow Wow Band.
“The annual JTS One Love Affair program is an important tradition for Destination Jamaica, and we take great pride in rewarding our dedicated partners who show an enduring commitment to the destination,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, JTB. “Travel advisors are the backbone of our industry, and their support has played a pivotal role in Jamaica’s success as a leading global tourism destination.”
Top-selling Canadian travel agent for 2023 Vanessa Martinez (centre right) accepts her award from JTB representatives (from left) Peter Mullings, Acting Deputy Director of Tourism, Marketing; Émilie Giguère, Business Development Manager, Québec and Atlantic Canada; Racquel Queensborough, Business Development Manager, Ontario; Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada; Donovan White, Director of Tourism; and Philip Rose, Deputy Director of Tourism, Americas.
The 15 Canadian Jamaica Travel Specialists who qualified to attend this year included:
- Vanessa Elizabeth Martinez, Unforgettable Escapes
- Courtney Pilon, Champagne Weddings & Travel
- Jen Langlois, Trevello Travel Group
- Sharon Lynn Loppie, TravelBug Travel
- Lois Barbour, Travel Time Agency
- Yvonne Adina Campbell, Yvonne’s Travel and Tours
- Shelley Elkas, Escapes.ca
- Sharon Boissonneault, House of Travel
- Micaela McFarquhar, Intimate Affairs & Escapes
- Robyn Arnold, Sell Off Vacations
- Kim Leduc, Voyagess & Croisières Aquamond
- Amanda Elizabeth Beaver, GLOW Travel Inc.
- Tanya Lynne Smith, Niche Travel Group
- Andrea Kathleen Hudson Lindsay, Your Travel Genie
- Johanne Robinson, CWT Harvey’s Travel
The JTS One Love Rewards Program is a dedicated training platform for the travel agent community to become certified experts on the destination. The educational program features a series of online courses that provide agents with practical knowledge on the island while showcasing Jamaica’s rich culture and vibrant tourism offerings. In addition to learning about the island, JTS-certified agents earn valuable rewards points and gain access to exclusive perks when they record their bookings throughout the year.
The JTS One Love Affair incentive trip and award gala first launched in 2012. For more information about the program go to www.oneloverewards.com.
