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JAM | Dec 1, 2023

Russell celebrates bumper winter tourist season on re-election as JHTA president

Vanassa McKenzie

Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today

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Robin Russell, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA). (Photo: Contributed)

Robin Russell, general manager at Deja Resorts, Montego Bay, has been re-elected for a second term as president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

The JHTA president, who expressed gratitude to his colleagues ‘for their vote of confidence’, is predicting “a bumper 2023/24 winter season for Jamaica” at the JHTA annual general meeting at the Jewel Runaway Bay Resort, on Saturday, November 25.

He disclosed that there were “unprecedented levels of approximately 200, 000 visitors to Jamaica this month”.

“We are expecting in the region of 67 flights per day at the Sangster International Airport over the Christmas season and we are preparing for as smooth a travel experience as possible,” he added.

Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association president Robin Russell. (Photo: JIS)

Reflecting on the 2023 tourism traffic, Russell said: “It has been a busy year. Airport traffic has increased tremendously and with it, unfortunately, delays in processing times. But we have seen improvements in recent weeks, particularly at Sangster. With the Government’s mandating of online completion of the C5 departure forms, more input Kiosks and more PICA agents, we are already seeing positive results.”

The JHTA president also reported advances which will benefit members, including discussions with the Pig Farmers Association towards more accurate assessment of needs and delivery of pork products to the industry.

He also commended the EXIM Bank of Jamaica for increasing its loan limit from J$25,000 to J$50,000 and extending the repayment period to 10 years at 4 1/2 per cent interest while urging members to take advantage of the plan.

For his new term, Russell said he is “recommitting the JHTA to working collectively with allied agencies for the sustained development of Jamaica’s hospitality and tourism industry” for the benefit of all Jamaicans.

Also voted in for the 2023/ 2024 Council were Christopher Jarrett, first vice-president; Vana Taylor, second vice-president; Karen Lanigan, third vice-president; and Kyle Mais, fourth vice-president.

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Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Robin Russell Tourism

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