Jamaica Is Ready For The Rebound From Canada
Jamaican tourism officials went the high-tech route Tuesday to update travel agents in this country on what’s happening with the tourist trade in their country, a country they are hopeful is on the verge of making a significant rebound in the Canadian market after seeing visitations plummet because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Jamaica is back [flying] out of Canada,” Dan Hamilton of the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Toronto office told viewers during what was billed as the Jamaica Virtual Product Showcase.
The event had prominent Jamaican tourism officials providing updates and also enabled participating agents to speak to Jamaica tourism suppliers through chat rooms.
Those officials also repeatedly said travel agents are critical to the success of Jamaican tourism.
“We are committed to you,” said Angella Bennett, the tourist board’s director for Canada, who invited agents to join with tourism officials to “rediscover Jamaica together.”
“We know we can’t do without you,” Donovan White, tourist board director, said in a statement.
Jamaica’s tourist trade has taken a massive hit from the coronavirus pandemic but officials said there are reasons to now be hopeful, citing the likes of the restarting of air service between this country and Jamaica.
“We are excited that sooner rather than later this nightmare (the pandemic)… will be gone,” said Donnie Dawson, the tourist board’s deputy director for the Americas.
“Canada is rolling and we’re coming back strong,” said Racquel Queensborough of the tourist board’s Toronto office.
Jamaica “will consider anyone who has received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to be fully vaccinated, regardless of whether they have received different brands.”
The country, which reports it hasn’t yet seen any sign of the Delta variant within its borders, has increased capacity for weddings to 100.
Dawson also used the event to show appreciation to agents for supporting his homeland’s tourism industry.
“We thank you, thank you very much,” he said.
