LONDON, UK – The second day at World Travel Market in London has proved momentous for Jamaica, starting with well-received presentations on Jamaica events and the islands newest properties from Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Director of Tourism, Mr Paul Pennicook, before concluding with five coveted awards for the UK’s favourite Caribbean destination.
Director of Tourism was honorary guest speaker at Playa Resort’s media launch for its two first Jamaica properties, the Hyatt Zilara & Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, set to open on November 23, 2014. The room full of UK media and travel trade representatives were bowled over by the credentials of Jamaica’s newest luxury all-inclusive properties, aiming to be the Caribbean’s only six-star all-inclusive resorts.
Kevin Froemming, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Playa Resorts, added to the ‘feel-good’ factor by thanking Jamaica Tourist Board for its continued support in promoting the properties, and for offering all guests staying at Hyatt Ziva & Zilara a free round of golf in 2015.
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, engaged in Ministerial duties at the world’s leading trade expedition, holding a meeting with fellow attendee UNWTO ministers for Minister McNeill’s first month as Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council.
On Tuesday morning, Minister presented at the UNWTO and WTM Minister’s Summit 2014, the theme of which was mega events and building a lasting legacy from such tourism opportunities. Minister stated to the audience of travel leaders Jamaica’s own positive economic benefits gleaned from Jamaica House 2012, 2013 and 2014, and underlined the benefits of mega events in and outside the home destination. Minister gave the example that the JTB’s promotional activity at the 2012 Olympic Games was successful given that in 2013 UK visitor arrivals increased to Jamaica to 4.7%, and in 2014 achieved an historic growth rate of 13%.
Day two concluded on a high, with Minister McNeill and Director of Tourism receiving an unprecedented five awards for Jamaica, courtesy of the World Travel Awards. Jamaica won the Caribbean’s Leading Destination 2014 and Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2014 and on the cruise front, Jamaica scooped three more awards. These were for Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2014, Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port 2014 for Ocho Rios, and Caribbean’s Leading Heritage Attraction 2014 for Falmouth.
