TORONTO — The Jamaica Tourist Board welcomed 600 travel advisors from across Canada and the U.S. for its Virtual Product Showcase last week.
The Dec. 7 three-hour online event gave agents “an afternoon of education, inspiration, and networking,” says the JTB. The session was the third Virtual Product Showcase hosted by the JTB Canada team, and the first edition open to U.S. agents, leading to record-breaking participation.
The immersive Zoom experience opened with destination updates from the JTB’s Canadian sales team, a brief overview on the Jamaica Travel Specialist program, and a presentation on Jamaica’s all-new ‘Come Back’ marketing campaign.
Donnie Dawson, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, joined the event to share a message of gratitude to the travel advisor community.
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- Deidre Brown, Sales Manager, Royal Decameron
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- Lorraine Brisbois, Corporate Manager, Sunwing Travel Group
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- Errol Elmaz, Sales and Marketing Manager, Round Hill Hotel and Villas
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- Desirée Rolle, Director of Sales – Canada, Couples Resorts
“Over the last two years, Jamaica’s Canadian and U.S. sales teams have done a tremendous job getting our message out there, but we would not be where we are today without the support of travel advisors,” said Dawson. “We thank you for the work you do, and we look forward to your continued support. Let’s make Jamaica the number one destination for this upcoming winter season.”
Travel advisors heard from 30 top-tier travel partners from North America and Jamaica. Participating suppliers included Canadian airlines and tour operators, major resort chains, smaller boutique hotels and villas, and on-island attractions and tour companies.
Agents also had the opportunity to connect with representatives in interactive breakout sessions to learn more about their unique offerings and incentive programs.
Says Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, JTB: “Jamaica has a new message: it’s time to come back. Since Jamaica reopened in June 2020, the destination has welcomed 5.7 million visitors generating US$5.7 billion in tourism revenue. We have approximately 8,000 new rooms slated for construction on the island in the next two to five years. In 2023, we will see the completion of a new 2,000-room Princess Hotel in Hanover, the 260-room Sandals Dunn’s River, and a 700-room RIU Hotel in Falmouth.”
For more information about Jamaica’s engagement initiatives and events for Canadian travel agents, check out visitjamaica.com/Canada.
