TORONTO — Over 200 travel professionals convened at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto last week for the Jamaica Tourist Board’s kick-off to the winter season, showcasing the island’s abundant cultural legacy as well as updates on the numerous resorts and attractions Canadians enjoy year after year.

“The industry is back. Are we back or are we back?” asked Dan Hamilton, District Sales Manager for the JTB.

“Although we have seen you several times with our supplier partner events, we still want to meet with you. We still want you to know how important you are to our business. We appreciate you and are glad you are here,” added Hamilton.

As the peak of the winter season bookings for sun destinations approach, the JTB has kept busy participating in tour operator launches and various events over the past several weeks and months.

And they don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they are ramping up

activities and plowing full steam ahead.

And how can they not be?

After coming off a prolific year, with over 4.1 million visitors in 2023, an 11% increase in arrivals in the first quarter of 2024, and a 42% repeat guest rate – all a true testament to the island’s success – the JTB is staying Jamaica strong in bolstering their efforts to maintain and even surpass this year’s momentum.

With a newly expanded and energetic business development team in tow, they are poised to do just that.

Rounding out the event was an educational session highlighting destination and supplier training featuring some of Jamaica’s most popular resorts and new entrants, such as the new Princess All-Inclusive Resorts in the Negril resort area.

Other partners included Sea Garden

Beach Resort, Playa Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Resorts, Royalton Blue Diamond, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, Iberostar, Canlink representing Tryall Club and the Jamaica Inn, Catalonia Hotels, Bahia Principe, the Decameron Resorts and tour operators Sunwing and WestJet Vacations.

As the evening unfolded, Angella Bennett, the JTB’s Regional Director of Canada, highlighted the significance of the travel specialist reward program, One Love Affair, recognizing top-producing Jamaica travel specialists.

Deemed as ‘the Oscars of travel’ accolade by the tourist board, she encouraged agents to enroll.

Of the top 50 agents across North America for 2023, 15 of those achievers were in Canada.

“This is an amazing accomplishment, one of our highest numbers since I’ve been here,” said Bennett. “Canada continues to dominate this event. Please put on your hat and be strategic. It is not difficult to get to these numbers. I am challenging you, and we will celebrate together.”

Also on the agenda was the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, a charity near and dear to Bennett, who sits on the advisory board.

The foundation supports the new building of schools in rural Jamaica. A spring Jam-Walk occurs in Toronto each year, raising funds to support the foundation. JTB is an annual contributing participant through sponsorship and a JTB-entered team mainly made up of travel professionals.

“I want to announce that this year, the Jam-Walk is on 24 May, and we invite you all to come, walk with us, register, raise funds, and join the JTB group and let’s build the 28th school in Jamaica together,” said Bennett.

On a separate note, Bennett addressed the recent strikes affecting some of the local hotels on the island. She assured the room that the Ministry of Labour and the hoteliers would work together to find a swift solution and ensure minimal disruption to their clients.

After all, “no one wants a long strike,” said Bennett.

The fun-filled event concluded with a Jamaican-inspired dinner, prizes and a performance by the Kashe Dance Ensemble, which entertained guests with various eras of Jamaican music and dance forms.

There was also a closing heartfelt message shared by Bennett. “On behalf of my entire team here, I want to express our gratitude. We commit to continue supporting you in every way possible. With our expanded team, we have gained new power and new energy. We truly appreciate you, and thank you for tonight. Let’s hear it for Jamaica.”

For information check out www.VisitJamaica.com/Canadaand also www.helpinghandsjamaica.com.