cruising
Hon.EdmundBartlett,CD,MP
T his has been a very busy period for all our tourism and hospitality stakeholders by design, not by chance. I am proud to see that our core belief that planning pays, is widely shared by our committed partners who have courageously weathered periods of uncertainty without losing the vision of a prosperous present and brighter future. Destination management plans, cruise marketing training, and the general upskilling of the workforce continue to create real value for visitors. I commend the Jamaica Vacations Ltd team on an impressive showing at the recently concluded Clia Cruise 360 event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From all reports, Jamaica’s presence was felt and the engagement levels were very high during their in-demand workshop and also by the non-stop visits to their shared booth with the Jamaica Tourist Board. Congratulations! Another point of pride in this period was the resump tion of the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, covered in this issue. Well done to the Tourism Linkages Network, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, and all the other organizers, who delivered the perfect blend of world-class coffee and Jamaican entertainment. We remain cognizant of the connections created by tourism to critical sectors such as agriculture and entertainment and continue to nurture and build on the successes and lessons learned. Our mission remains to be innovative, strategic, and inclusive in order to deliver memorable experi ences through care for our environment, being custodians of our culture, and always refining ways to deliver the signature hospitality that Jamaica is known for the world over. Every stakeholder has a responsibility to “live our brand”. We are happy to see the continued signs of recov ery with many hotels fully booked and their teams busy and major flights and cruises returning from key markets. We remain committed to not only building back stronger but doing it all even better. Thank you!
Planning Pays
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Minister Tourism Messagefromtheof
SIMPLY THE BEST - Workshop Testimonial Troy Colbert , a North Caroli na-based travel agent working with Michelle’s Destinations, was among the lucky partic ipants who got a personal walk through of the signup process for Regal Rewards, he has nothing but praise for the JamVac team and the workshop. “The Jamaica Cruising train ing was absolutely the best I attended during Cruise360 2022! It was very informative and super high energy. It opened up a whole new window for me to sell Jamaica to my clients and enhance their experience with a cruise component. That means higher commissions for me and happier, repeat clients.”
POWERED BY POHL - JAMVAC Cruise 360 OversubscribedWorkshop
Jamaica Cruising staged a workshop on all things Jamaica and cruise which was so well received that all 75 spaces were booked in record time. Led by the dynamic presenter and cruise innovator Claudine Pohl, all travel professionals in attendance were fully engaged and raved about JamVac’s newly launched Regal Rewards Programme. There were 65 signups in under 60 minutes! Participants were not only treated to exclusive news and insights from the team but handmade jewelry and crafts by Jamaican artisans, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, and the grand prize of a trip to Jamaica, won by Lashonda Roberts.
SpecialFeature 4 JAMAICA CRUISING ISSUE #4
AtJamVac CLIA Cruise 360
Cruise360 , hosted annually by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), remains the largest and only official conference of the global cruise industry. Cruise360 is the ultimate event that brings together travel profes sionals, cruise line representatives, ports & destinations, industry suppliers and other stakeholders. The Jamaica Vacations Limited team, led by Execu tive Director Mrs Joy Roberts, made an impressive showing at this year’s staging with overwhelmingly positive reviews still coming in! From one of the most popular workshops to a busy and beautiful shared booth, Jamaica Cruising was present, prepared, and making powerful connections with the international cruise network. In the words of Mrs Roberts, “From our perspective, our attendance was a success. Attending CLIA Cruise360 afforded us the unique opportunity to reconnect with our community of cruise partners, travel professionals, and potential collaborators. We look forward to continuing the conversa tions and working together to deliver even more exciting experiences for visitors.”
THE JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE FESTIVAL MADE A GRAND RETURN THIS YEAR ON THE HISTORIC LAWNS OF DEVON HOUSE IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA. Its traditional home in the hills of the Blue Mountains on the landmark Newcastle square was missed but the event did not compromise on the usual quality, culture, crafts, and most importantly, worldclass coffee. The Tourism Linkages Network and other key stakeholders did a masterful job in preparing the perfect blend of events and experiences connected by Jamaican culture and coffee. EventSpotlight Coffee Festival Jamaica 2022 Blue Mountain 5BE IN THE KNOW EXPERIENCE OUR CULTURE
The 4th staging of the festival included a series of monthlong celebrations of activities and events, culminating with the Festival Marketplace— an extravaganza featuring local arts and crafts, coffee purveyors, food stalls with coffee-infused and inspired delights, connoisseurs,andbringingmusicaldemonstrationstastings,andentertainment—togetherlocalinternationalcoffeecoffeesuppliers, for more information. Hereareafewphotoshighlightingthefunandexcitementfromthisyear’sFestival. 6 JAMAICA CRUISING ISSUE #4
beautyPortAntonio’scanbefoundbetweenthedropsofafternoonrainkeepingthelushhillsgreen,thesmilesofquietlocalsmakingtheirwaythroughthetownordoingdailychores,andtheunforgettableselectionoffoodanddrinksthattasteofjoyandmagic. Port Antonio Perfection #DoGoSee PORT ANTONIO IS THE CAPITAL OF PORTLAND, THE PARISH MOST KNOWN FOR ITS tohasoftouristAFORESTS.SEASIDELANDSCAPE,BREATHTAKINGHEAVENLYVILLAS,ANDLIVELYlaidbackoptiontothehotspotsintheWesttheisland,PortAntoniosomethingforeveryoneenjoy. Here are our top 3 things to see and do on a day trip to Port Antonio, Jamaica. SWIM AT WINNIFRED BEACH Located 9 miles east of the town of Port Antonio, Winnifred Beach is one of the best-kept public beaches in Jamaica , nestled between the world-famous Blue Lagoon and surfer’s paradise, Boston Beach, this trip is well worth it. 1 7BE IN THE KNOW EXPERIENCE OUR CULTURE
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Take a short boat ride to Monkey Island or lounge and lime to the sweet sounds of reggae beats. Feeling hungry after all that adventure? Indulge in farm-tofork food that will leave your tastebuds dancing with delight.
RIO GRANDE Bamboo Rafting down the Rio Grande is one of the most popular activities in Port Antonio among locals and visitors alike. This extremely relaxing ride lasts anywhere between 1 to 3 hours and showcases the area’s natural beauty. Experienced and hospitable raft captains make each trip unique and are typically available for tours seven days per week. Don’t miss a stop at Belinda’s riverside restaurant for a taste of homestyle Jamaican meals with a FROLIC AT FRENCHMAN’S COVE Frenchman’s Cove is one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. A spectacular sight up close, this beach is not to be missed. Featuring a healthy variety of flora and fauna, the property surrounding the beach is a literal breath of fresh air. Spend your time here just relaxing or get busy to some music, making memories with your family and friends by the beach bar and grill.
Acai Cafe PortLAND #DoGoEat ToYourHealthandHappiness LOCATED IN LONG BAY, PORTLAND, ACAI CAFE IS THE NEWEST OASIS FOR SATISFYING SMOOTHIES AND SOOTHINGSOUNDS. 9BE IN THE KNOW EXPERIENCE OUR CULTURE
PORTLAND IS KNOWN for its natural beauty, lush vegetation, and laid back vibe, making it a favourite hideaway for locals and visitors alike, seeking new adventures, soul stirring experi ences and unforgettable culinary Acaidelights.Cafe is the place to get lost in the perfect combination of local charm with the familiarity of cosmopolitan comfort.
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I n addition to delicious treats like their non-dairy made fresh vegan soft serve ice-cream and impressive wine list, Acai Cafe is a top pick for consistently great customer Trueservice.to its name, do try the popular acai bowls loaded with freshly picked Jamaican fruits and powerful plant compounds that act as antioxidants full of benefits for your brain, heart and overall health. Enjoy their Brunch Sips and Beats series hosted every weekendSaturdays and Sundays - starting at 11 am, featuring live musical guests and delightful jazz AcaiCafeisamustvisit! 11BE IN THE KNOW EXPERIENCE OUR CULTURE
The Jamaica Vacations Limited (JamVac) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism of Jamaica which was established in 1978. It was born of an understanding that airlift was critical to the buoyancy of Jamaica’s tourism industry. The agency fills a unique need and over the years its mandate has expanded to include cruise tourism. It operates by supporting tour operators, charter operators, scheduled flights as well as cruise operators, scheduled and charter cruises. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors and its current Executive Director is Mrs. Joy Roberts.
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