Q. This can be a massive yr for Jamaica, because it celebrates 60 years of independence. The JTB is marking the event with a reserving incentive for its Canadian journey advisor companions. Why was it necessary for the JTB to reward its journey agent companions as a part of the sixtieth diamond jubilee celebrations?
Bennett: “Canadian journey advisors have all the time been a giant a part of Jamaica’s success and need to be acknowledged for his or her arduous work and dedication. We particularly respect our agent companions for his or her loyalty in the course of the pandemic and on this ongoing restoration interval, so wished to current this particular Diamond Jubilee reserving incentive as a approach of claiming thanks throughout this celebratory yr.”
Q. It is so nice that journey has reopened from Canada, so vacationers can lastly trip in many-loved locations like Jamaica. What constructive stats are you able to share about bookings and journey from Canada to Jamaica as journey continues to recuperate?
Bennett: “Jamaica is recovering properly with the US market coming in strongest adopted by Canada. From January to June of this yr we have now seen 1.3 million arrivals to Jamaica in comparison with 2019 at 1.6 p.c – so we’re simply 13 p.c shy of 2019 numbers. For the 2022 summer season interval, which runs from late June to the top of August, the JTB is projecting that the island will welcome roughly 800,000 guests with vacation spot earnings exceeding US $1.1 billion.
“Proper now the journey sector is upbeat and momentum is nice with robust gross sales within the Caribbean. We’re additionally seeing an upswing in our extra luxurious choices and better finish classes. There’s positively a surge in journey, the trade is resilient and recovering extraordinarily properly.”
Q. Any fast resort information that brokers ought to learn about?
Bennett: “At present about 8,000 new resort rooms are both in growth or ought to begin development inside months. A number of of those initiatives embody the two,000 room Princess Resort in Hanover, on the western finish of the island between Negril and Montego Bay, which is presently in development and can grow to be Jamaica’s largest resort. We’re additionally finishing slightly below 1,000 rooms by Sandals and Seashores in St. Ann close to Ocho Rios, and the brand new RIU Aquarelle in Trelawny has damaged floor and can boast 700 rooms. There may even be an enormous enlargement of Bahia Principe by Grupo Pinero out of Spain, and we must always have extra particulars on their plans quickly.”
Q. The JTB was entrance and middle in the course of the pandemic, with webinars and extra to maintain brokers engaged and within the loop with promoting Jamaica. Are you seeing that repay now with an excellent deeper connection between the JTB and its agent companions, and are there any commerce initiatives that the JTB began in the course of the pandemic that it’s going to hold?
Bennett: “We’re very pleased with our profitable, on-line Irie hour, which began in the course of the onset of the pandemic and remains to be ongoing twice month-to-month. By means of our Irie Hour we have now grown a devoted group of journey brokers which are extremely educated and impressed in all issues Jamaica, together with promotions, new or altering protocols, flights and new developments. Our journey advisor Fb group has grown to over 3,000 lively agent members and we proceed to develop new content material, incentives (like our present 60 Days and 60 Nights promotion) to maintain issues contemporary.”