“We appreciate our travel agent partners”: Q&A with JTB’s Angella Bennett

Q. This is a significant yr for Jamaica, as it celebrates 60 yrs of independence. The JTB is marking the celebration with a scheduling incentive for its Canadian vacation advisor associates. Why was it vital for the JTB to reward its vacation agent associates as part of the 60th diamond jubilee celebrations?

Bennett: “Canadian travel advisors have generally been a huge section of Jamaica’s good results and ought to have to be identified for their challenging work and dedication. We specifically respect our agent partners for their loyalty for the duration of the pandemic and in this ongoing recovery interval, so wished to present this unique Diamond Jubilee reserving incentive as a way of expressing thank you during this celebratory year.”

Q. It’s so good that travel has reopened from Canada, so travellers can at last holiday vacation in a great deal-liked places like Jamaica. What good stats can you share about bookings and travel from Canada to Jamaica as journey continues to recover?

Bennett: “Jamaica is recovering perfectly with the US industry coming in strongest adopted by Canada. From January to June of this year we have seen 1.3 million arrivals to Jamaica when compared to 2019 at 1.6 percent – so we are just 13 p.c shy of 2019 figures. For the 2022 summer time interval, which operates from late June to the conclude of August, the JTB is projecting that the island will welcome approximately 800,000 guests with spot earnings exceeding US $1.1 billion.

“Right now the journey sector is upbeat and momentum is good with solid revenue in the Caribbean. We’re also viewing an upswing in our extra luxurious offerings  and better close types. There is absolutely a surge in journey, the sector is resilient and recovering particularly properly.”

Q. Any rapid resort information that brokers ought to know about? 

Bennett: “Currently about 8,000 new resort rooms are both in development or really should commence design inside months. A couple of these initiatives incorporate the 2,000 area Princess Resort in Hanover, on the western end of the island amongst Negril and Montego Bay, which is currently in design and will become Jamaica’s premier resort. We’re also finishing just beneath 1,000 rooms by Sandals and Shorelines in St. Ann close to Ocho Rios, and the new RIU Aquarelle in Trelawny has damaged floor and will boast 700 rooms. There will also be a massive growth of Bahia Principe by Grupo Pinero out of Spain, and we ought to have more aspects on their designs shortly.”

Q. The JTB was front and centre throughout the pandemic, with webinars and extra to preserve agents engaged and in the loop with selling Jamaica. Are you observing that pay out off now with an even further link between the JTB and its agent companions, and are there any trade initiatives that the JTB began for the duration of the pandemic that it will hold?

Bennett: “We are really proud of our profitable, online Irie hour, which started off all through the onset of the pandemic and is continue to ongoing two times monthly.  As a result of our Irie Hour we have grown a devoted community of journey agents that are hugely educated and inspired in all factors Jamaica, which includes promotions, new or changing protocols, flights and new developments. Our travel advisor Fb community has grown to around 3,000 active agent users and we proceed to build new content material, incentives (like our existing 60 Times and 60 Nights marketing) to continue to keep issues refreshing.”