The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) recently hosted its first-ever ‘A Taste of Miami’ lunch and learn event for Jamaican travel professionals, showcasing the diverse attractions and experiences for visitors to the South Florida destination. 

“Jamaica is an important Caribbean market for us, and this event allows us to build meaningful connections with travel advisors and journalists who already value sun, culture, and vibrant experiences. By bringing a taste of Miami and Miami Beach to Jamaica, we’re highlighting everything our destination has to offer,” said Carolyn Corrigan, director of Latin America and the Caribbean travel industry sales at GMCVB. 

The event, attended by representatives of Jamaica’s leading travel agencies and tour operators, provided comprehensive updates on Greater Miami’s evolving tourism landscape, highlighting cultural activities, entertainment events, sports tourism opportunities, and culinary experiences that Jamaican travellers can enjoy. 

Corrigan was accompanied by Petra Brennan, director of tourism business enhancement, and together they led presentations, offering insights into Miami’s vibrant tourism ecosystem. They were also joined by Ivonne Turcios, Caribbean account manager for American Airlines, and Maria Maloney, director of sales at AC Hotel Miami Dadeland, who shared information on flight and accommodation offerings available for Jamaican visitors.

Dave Chin Tung, CEO of Go! Jamaica Travel, winner of multiple World Travel Awards, expressed enthusiasm about Miami’s diverse offerings.

The event emphasised that while Jamaican travellers often visit Miami to connect with family and friends or for shopping, the destination offers much more – from world-class entertainment featuring artists like Usher, Shakira, and Beyoncé to rich culinary experiences from Michelin-rated restaurants, art and culture explorations, and family-oriented museums and attractions.

“Miami and Miami Beach are actively promoting their destination’s features – the culture, art, entertainment, and sports. Every single month, there is something happening that might surprise Jamaican travellers,” said Chin Tung. “Many Jamaicans are interested in more than just shopping, and Miami offers incredible opportunities to experience a vibrant, multi-dimensional destination with world-class events and cultural activities.”

Diana Marley, director of operations for Sterling Travel, was equally impressed with the presentation. “Carolyn and Petra made Miami come alive. It was interesting, dynamic, and exciting to hear the numerous activities and developments taking place in the city, and I have no doubt it will rekindle a huge surge in travel to Miami and Miami Beach as a vibrant destination in 2025, 2026, and beyond. Miami has evolved into far more than a shopping destination for Jamaicans and is now a multi-cultural hub as evidenced by the appeal to all palates – food, art, music, culture and heritage – a myriad of excitement for all ages and interests.”

Charmaine Harrison, senior manager at Sterling Travel, noted that the presentations inspired her to consider organising a weekend trip to Miami for a group of senior citizens from Jamaica, highlighting the destination’s appeal to diverse demographics.

Olive McNaughton, CEO of Jamsport Travel, which specialises in sports tourism, was particularly impressed with Miami’s diverse sporting calendar, including the Miami Grand Prix (Formula 1), Miami Tennis Open and the 2026 World Cup Football alongside regular games of the Miami Heat (basketball) and InterMiami teams.  

“As someone who arranges sporting events from Jamaica, I was excited to learn about Miami’s impressive array of sports offerings beyond what I was already familiar with,” said McNaughton. “Miami presents tremendous opportunities for Jamaican sports enthusiasts. The presentations opened my eyes to Miami as a premier sports tourism destination. I’m certainly going to capitalise on this information and look forward to potential partnerships with venues like the AC Hotel Dadeland to create exceptional sporting event packages for Jamaican travellers. What makes Miami truly special is how it combines these sporting events with shopping, cultural experiences, and entertainment options all in one vibrant destination.”

Charles Clatanoff, economic and commercial officer of the US Embassy, also attended the event further underscoring the importance of tourism relations between Jamaica and the United States.

‘A Taste of Miami’ concluded with the event guests having the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including a weekend stay at AC Dadeland Marriott, adding an exciting element to an already informative and engaging session.