Community News
Decisions, Decisions: Choosing Jamaica as the perfect destination for your wedding, or honeymoon
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
Choosing the perfect honeymoon, or destination wedding can indeed be a daunting task, with a myriad of options to consider such as: budget, guest preferences, and the overall experience you envision. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices.
However, amidst this sea of possibilities, Jamaica stands out as a stellar recommendation. Renowned for its: breath taking beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, Jamaica has consistently been celebrated as an ideal destination for couples seeking romance and relaxation. Whether you dream of a serene beachside retreat, adventurous excursions, or cultural immersion, Jamaica offers a rich array of experiences to make your special occasion unforgettable.
In 2023, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fourth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named JTB: “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” for the 15th consecutive year, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” for the 17th consecutive year, and the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination”
In addition, Jamaica was awarded six gold 2023 Travvy Awards, including: ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ and ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ as well as two silver Travvy Awards for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall.’’
JTB also received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time. TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica the #7 Best Honeymoon Destination in the World and the #19 Best Culinary Destination in the World for 2024. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best: accommodations, attractions, and service providers that continue to receive prominent global.
As a community, we have even more to be proud of this year. The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has been voted Favourite Caribbean/Mexico Tourist Board of the Year by Canadian travel agents at the Baxter Media Agents’ Choice Awards in Toronto held on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at the Carlu in Toronto. Destination Jamaica also picked up Favourite Wedding/Honeymoon Romance Destination of the Year, while JTB Canada’s Business Development Manager, Emilie Giguere, received a Favourite Supplier Representative Award for her excellent effort and strong agent support.
Jamaica continues to make magic for travel advisors and clients looking for romance. For the third year in a row, the Jamaica Tourist Board was once again picked as the national favourite in this category, along with being the regional favourite in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
Director of Tourism, Donovan White expressed his pleasure in Jamaica securing another win at this year’s Agents’ Choice Awards. “Destination Jamaica continues to shine, because we believe and invest in the product and its offerings. We value the contribution of the travel advisors who play a critical role in selling the destination and our recognition at Baxter Media’s Agents’ Choice Awards truly highlights that the destination is ranked among the best for an authentic and unique experience.”
I had an opportunity to speak with Angella Bennett, Regional Director of Tourism for Canada, and with almost 30 years of travel industry experience, she brings an impressive level of knowledge and passion to her role. Leading the tourism board’s national team in Canada, she works closely with industry partners and travel agents across the country to build relationships, provide educational resources on the destination, and drive year-round tourism to Jamaica. During my talk with Angella, she shared with me how her passion has assisted in making Jamaica the destination place to be.
“Powerful women in the travel industry possess the unique ability to navigate unchartered territories with grace and determination. We inspire others to dream big and break barriers, particularly in an industry predominantly led by men. Working with a strong team is crucial as it fosters collaboration and growth. Recognizing people for their strengths helps us to maintain a work environment where everyone’s talents are valued and utilized to the fullest. I think a huge factor in the success of our team is Jamaica’s dedication to providing opportunities to grow and learn new skills.”
“Tourism plays a significant role in the prosperity of Jamaica, and I am deeply honoured to contribute to the growth and success of our country. Making people feel good is an art that goes beyond just words. It’s about creating an experience that touches the hearts and souls of others.”
“I think that’s one of the things that Destination Jamaica does so well. In this industry, it’s not just about what you say, but how you make people feel. The power to: uplift, inspire and leave a lasting impression lies in the ability to create genuine connections and provide exceptional service. As a team, we take pride in creating moments of joy and happiness for our guests, leaving them with memories that will last a lifetime.”
“My team has such passion for Jamaica, belief in the country and the beauty of its people. Winning these awards is the icing on the cake – because we already love what we do.”