The Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister Of Jamaica And Peter Greenberg Host Premiere Of “Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour”

The Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, hosted the premiere of “Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour”, on Wednesday, September 14 at the Loews IMAX Theater in New York City.

The Travel Channel special hosted by Chief Correspondent Peter Greenberg documents a personal journey throughout Jamaica, as seen through the eyes of the Prime Minister. “Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour”, aired at 10pm (EST) on Thursday, September 15 on the Travel Channel.

Invited guests of this exclusive screening included Caribbean and U.S. government members, leaders of U.S. and Jamaican business communities, travel trade and news media, all invited to celebrate the premiere of this long-awaited program.

A cocktail reception, which preceded the screening, showcased the offerings of the Jamaica Tourist Board and its various partners, including Unique Jamaica, a local tour operator that has established a series of itineraries that follow the path of the Prime Minister and Greenberg. Air Jamaica, Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues and Walkerswood Caribbean Foods also displayed booths in the theater. As guests mingled, the theater was filled with the sounds of mento and Dexter Daley’s JAM-X band. Cocktails, including Appleton Rum and Red Stripe, were served plus an abundance of hors d’oeuvres representative of Jamaican cuisine.

Before introducing the main feature, the evening’s program included remarks made by the Prime Minister, The Hon. Aloun N’dombet Assamba, Minister of Industry and Tourism, Paul Pennicook, Director of Tourism, Peter Greenberg, Travel Channel’s Chief Correspondent and Patrick Younge, EVP and General Manager, The Travel Channel.

With great pride, the Prime Minister recounted his experience traveling through Jamaica with Peter Greenberg, recalling his much-enjoyed memories of rafting on the Rio Grande and climbing to the very top of the Blue Mountains with the travel expert. He charged every person in the audience who has yet to visit Jamaica to come discover its diversity. He then invited those who’ve previously traveled to Jamaica, to come again, and explore deeper, beyond the ordinary, for as he showed Greenberg, Jamaica is a richly multi-faceted country.

“Jamaica and reggae are synonymous, and music is just one of the many cultural experiences we in Jamaica are proud of, in addition to the food, people and beaches,” said Donnie Dawson, deputy director, Sales, Jamaica Tourist Board. “Independence Day is very important for the Jamaican people and we are honored by all of the support that the city of Chicago and Hard Rock Cafe are lending to help us celebrate.”

The Director of Tourism thanked the various partners who helped make both the program and the evening’s celebration a reality. He stated, “for 50 years, the Jamaica Tourist Board has forged ahead with a strategic campaign to spread the spirit of Jamaica throughout the world, a spirit that makes Jamaica unique, and unlike any other place on this great Earth. This is why we are so proud to reveal the Ultimate Tour to you tonight,” stated Paul Pennicook, Director of Tourism.

The highlight of the evening was the screening of “Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour” which received great rounds of applause and congratulations. A raffle was conducted at the end of the evening and the Director of Tourism selected the lucky winner of an Ultimate Tour package, donated by Unique Jamaica.

“Jamaica: The Ultimate Tour”, is a solid addition to the JTB’s marketing initiative: “Once You Go, You Know.” This initiative was designed to draw attention to the unique experiences and cultural elements in Jamaica, known only to those who venture beyond the sun, sand and sea. It emphasizes the island’s rich diversity and unveils undiscovered cultural nuances. The show is the next installment in a special series produced by Peter Greenberg, previously known as The Royal Tour, a show that reveals destinations around the globe through the eyes of the particular Head of State.

Peter Greenberg, best known as the travel editor for NBC’s Today Show, hosts the series. The Emmy award-winning writer and producer is also the author of the recent New York Times bestselling Travel Detective Series. Greenberg says he saw the value of bringing the program to Jamaica based on the island’s appeal and the growing interest worldwide in Jamaica as a destination for leisure and active travelers.