with Martha Chapman
05JUN09

Jamaica Has Reggae; But Canadians Rock.

If you ever stay at Beaches Boscobel Beach in Jamaica and find out your room attendant is Fiona Hartley, shake her hand. You’re being taken care of by a champion.

Hartley, who has worked at the resort since 2002, was the recipient of the National Champion Award at Jamaica’s first annual Tourism Service Excellence Awards in April.  “The island-wide awards saw individuals and companies participating, housekeepers competing with managers – all in the name of leadership and innovation in tourism,” said Edmund C. Bartlett, the island’s Minister of Tourism, recently during a whirlwind visit to Toronto.

And the Tourism Service Excellence Awards aren’t the only thing that’s new in Jamaica. Equally big is the news we Canadians are very, very popular there now. “The extremely strong results, particularly over the last two years, show that Canada has been our salvation,” said Bartlett. A mere 5% of visitors five years ago, we now represent 13% and this year alone, we were up 27% in the first quarter.  “Canada has eclipsed all other markets.” In short:  We Rock.

The Minister accredited the growth to new direct air routes – Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Regina last year alone – along with the fact that new resort groups, such as Riu, Iberostar and Palladium, all familiar and popular with Canadians, have opened on the island. Plus there are several new attractions such as the Jerk Trail.

Next up? New routes from Eastern Canada. Casinos in a year or two. And a target of 300,000 more sun-starved Canucks for this year. Gulp. But it appears the Minister has full confidence in JTB Regional Director Sandra Scott here in Toronto. And so he should. Sandra ensures agents speak to a real person and a knowledgeable expert here in Canada, when they call in to the JTB.

You know, personalized service – just like Fiona Hartley provides.

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