The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has relaunched its Jamaica Travel Specialist Advisory Committee in an effort to enhance the development of its current tourism marketing program and boost sales of the destination.

The 11-member advisory committee comprises graduates of the JTB’s travel specialist program drawn from across the United States and Canada, who will serve for a one-year term. JTB Deputy Director of Tourism, Donnie Dawson was pleased to see the relaunch of this advisory committee, noting that Jamaica’s tourism marketing arm, “truly value our relationships with travel specialists.”

Pointing out that, Jamaica’s travel specialists are a crucial part of selling the destination, Dawson remarked that, “they have proven time and time again their value to Jamaica based on the revenue generated in room nights sold. We welcome their input as the destination prepares to take advantage of the recovery of tourist industry.”

Representations on the committee

The advisory committee members from the United States include Claire Robinson of Claire Skies Travel and Mark Hennigan, Dreamers Travel both from the Northeast American region while the Midwest region will be represented by Ruth DeMuth of Trip Guy Travel and Gayle Ailshie from Totally Trips. From the Southeast region is Irene Sauger from Vacation Guru, Andrea Williams of Exquisite Vacations and Steve Simmons of Honeymoons.

From the West/Southwest region are Tracy Mason from Time of Your Life Travel and Michelle Carbone from Michelle’s Destinations Unlimited. From Canada, the members are Amy Wood of Romantic Planet Vacations and Katherine Poon from Fun in Paradise.

The JTB will be represented on the committee by Dan Hamilton, Dian Holland, Christopher Dobson, Victoria Harper, Christopher Wright, Allana Faustin and Paulette Wright with Francine Carter Henry as the airline representative. The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association will be represented by Nicola Madden Greig.

The main purpose of the advisory committee is to provide the JTB with advice on the way forward for the Jamaica Travel Specialist One Love Rewards Program to ensure future growth. Specific goals include developing niche market training strategy, revamping/updating the general training course to continuously increase the knowledge on Jamaica’s tourism product as well as offering incentives that are advantageous to members.