TRADE SHOW REVIEW JAMAICA
JAPEX delivers
The 23rd JAPEX trade show was held in Montego Bay (April 28th-30th) and attracted 94 worldwide buyers to meet 150 Jamaican product providers. Julie Baxter reports
“ JAPEX 2013 IS CRITICAL FOR ITS IMPACT ON THE WIDER JAMAICAN ECONOMY. JAMAICA CURRENTLY NEEDS TOURISM NOW MORE
THAN EVER!" EVELYN SMITH, PRESIDENT, JAMAICA HOTEL AND TOURIST ASSOCIATION
Jamaican rewards for UK travel agents
THE Jamaica Tourist Board is set to upgrade its UK
agent training
incentives with the extension of its North American rewards programme. Over 8,000 agents worldwide have completed the Jamaica
Travel
Specialist programme since it launched in February 2012. In March, an online Jamaica Travel
Specialist store was added giving agents in Canada and US an extra incentive to book with hotel
stays,
branded merchandise and a range of goodies up for grabs. This will be extended to UK agents in October. Director of Tourism, John D. Lynch
said: “Our travel agent community continues to play a major role in selling the destination and is integral to our marketing efforts.
jamaicatravelspecialist.co.uk
JAMAICA will up its profile in the UK with the launch of a multi-media advertising campaign in October. This will be the destination’s first
integrated TV, print and online media campaign, and will run as the Jamaican government continues to lobby hard for a review of its APD banding from the UK. The UK is Jamaica’s third most important
market and will see an increase in airlift, with the introduction of a fifth weekly flight with Thomson Airways next summer, from Manchester to Montego Bay. This will increase the carrier’s service from Manchester to two flights per week. Year- round departures are currently available once a week from Birmingham and
IN BRIEF
All change for Superclubs: Following the break-up and sale of properties in the Superclubs Hotel and Resorts collection there will be a raft of rebranding to reflect the hotels’ new ownership. The legendary Breezes Negril Grand
Resort & Spa has been taken over by Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts which will now operate it under the Blue
Diamond Memories brand. Breezes Starfish Trelawny is being expanded and will open in October as a Blue Diamond Royalton Resort. Hedonism III is being rebranded a Jewel Resort, making it the third in the chain in the Ocho Rios area. Braco is being rebranded as a Melia
Hotel.
bluediamondresorts.com;
jewelresorts.com;
melia.com
Manchester, and twice-weekly Gatwick. In November, from Virgin Atlantic
introduced a third weekly flight from Gatwick to Montego Bay, increasing its airlift to three weekly flights. Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Wykeham McNeill, said despite economic instability in many markets the outlook was good with new
investors, brands and
developments from established players all progressing this year. A new Casino Gaming Act has opened the way for up to three casinos on the island within larger resorts; and government investment
is Jamaica ups its game in UK
Thomson moves up market in Negril
TUI will open its first premier brand Sensatori all-inclusive in Negril, Jamaica in November. The 128-room Azul Sensatori is currently
renovations
undergoing extensive by
its new owners,
Mexican-resort specialist Karisma. Karisma has developed a 'Gourmet Inclusive' model which includes the use of world-renowned chefs, and high-end epicurean cuisine served a la carte which will be used for this resort too. The hotel is currently marketed as the Seashore Bay Beach Resort, formerly Sandy Bay Beach Resort.
tuitravelplc.com
“I WAS HUGELY IMPRESSED BY JAMAICA. IT HAS SOME GREAT QUIRKS
AND LOVELY PEOPLE” PAUL EVANS, GROUP CEO, LOW-COST TRAVEL GROUP
Half Moon upgrades being
focused on road and airport improvements.
visitJamaica.com flights.thomson.co.uk virgin-atlantic.com
HALF Moon Resort, Montego Bay, is to follow a $2 million upgrade last year with further renovations in 2013. The property
renovated three Royal Villas and has extended free wifi to all areas. Next up will be further room upgrades and public area renovations. The property celebrates its 60th
anniversary this year. It takes its name from the sandy bay on which it sits. Facilities include 13 tennis courts, a kids' zone, five pools, six restaurants and eight bars. Within the resorts guests can interact with dolphins and horse-ride on the beach.
Halfmoon.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com June 2013 15 has completely
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