Credit to the Jamaica Tourist Board for maintaining an almost unprecedented level of enthusiasm during the pandemic; but when the JTB conducted its first ever “Virtual Product Showcase” on Tuesday, the level of excitement bordered on fever pitch – from JTB staff, close to three dozen participating suppliers, and precisely 488 travel agent partners from across the country.
After all, the possibility of Canadians travelling to the island is no longer simply a dream but a reality, with the first post-pandemic flights from this country already well into the books courtesy of Air Canada and WestJet (with Sunwing, Swoop and Transat set to start in the coming weeks), not to mention the green light for fully vaccinated residents to travel agent minus previously restrictive (and costly) quarantine protocols upon return to Canada.
Moreover, fall and winter flights (starting Nov. 1) are officially on the board (or, perhaps more appropriately, in the system) including AC from Toronto and Montreal; WestJet out of Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg; Swoop departing Toronto and Hamilton; and Sunwing’s lengthy list featuring Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton, St. John, Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg and Calgary gateways.
The JTB’s Irrepressible master of ceremony Dan Hamilton kicked off proceedings with the declaration “Jamaica’s back out of Canada,” while the tourism office’s regional director for Canada Angella Bennett assured attendees that Jamaica’s tourism sector “will continue to stand alongside you, to get you through this (pandemic) period and back to business.”
“We can and we will do it together,” she exclaimed.
Bennett admitted that JTB staff, along with supplier, airline, and attraction partners would have preferred to be meeting agents in person, but, for now, would have make do virtually, with agents invited to meet suppliers in individual break-out booths in a (nearly) typical trade show format.
The usually ever-present JTB director of tourism Donovan White was not present for the event, but issued greetings to participants nonetheless, offering in a prepared statement: “The return of Canadian tourism is welcome news for our country’s hotel partners, attractions, transportation providers and hospitality workers – many of whom you will be hearing from today. On behalf of Jamaica, I want to thank you for your unwavering support as we have navigated the effects of the pandemic together… we know that we can’t do it without you.”
Two hours of “destination immersion” – information, updates, one-on-one supplier meetings – including Air Canada Vacations, Sunwing, Transat, Swoop, TravelBrands, WestJet Vacations, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Sandals, AMResorts, RIU, Iberostar, Bahia Principe, Blue Diamond, and others – as well as fun, games, and prizes, ensued.
Among some of the noteworthy news:
• There is currently no evidence of the delta variant in Jamaica.
• Jamaica considers 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 home quarantine period for travellers who are staying outside of the Resilient Corridor or visiting for non-tourism purposes has been reduced to eight days for fully vaccinated travellers.
• Capacity for weddings has increased to 100 guests
• Hotels, resort cottages and attractions that are not located within the Resilient Corridors can now receive guests once they have their JTB licence, TPDco’s COVID-19 Compliance Certificate, and obey all protocols.
The latest travel information for the island is documented on the Jamaica Cares platform on the Visit Jamaica website. Meanwhile, the next product showcase is scheduled for Nov. 24 from 1-3 p.m.