Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1494066
B M & T ••• March/April 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 32 Pictured: Chevonne Palmer, Director of Sales, Island Routes, supported by John Woolcock, Manager, Groups & Conventions, Jamaica Tourist Board (standing at center), presenting to enrapt meeting planners at Jamaica's booth at IMEX. ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris. In 2021, the JTB was declared 'World's Leading Cruise Destination,' 'World's Leading Family Destination' and 'World's Leading Wedding Destination' for the second consecu- tive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the 'Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board' for the 14th consecutive year; and the 'Caribbean's Leading Destination' for the 16th consecutive year; as well as the 'Caribbean's Best Nature Destination' and the 'Caribbean's Best Adventure Tourism Destination.' In addition, Jamaica was awarded four gold 2021 Travvy Awards, including 'Best Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas,' 'Best Culinary Destination –Caribbean,' Best Travel Agent Academy Program,'; as well as a TravelAge West WAVE award for 'International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support' for a record-setting 10 th time. In 2020, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the 2020 'Destination of the Year for Sustainable Tourism'. In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. Jamaica is home to some of the world's best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recogni- tion. For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Pictured: Martin Young, Director of Meeting & Incentive Sales for Playa Resorts' Jamaica prop- erties, interacts with a meeting planner at Jamaica's booth at IMEX. Partner hotel offers* promoted by Jamaica at IMEX included Half Moon's "Ultimate Group Experience" and Playa Resorts' "More Meetings Offer" and "Double Your Events Bonus Offer," all of which provide discounts on new group bookings this year. Jamaica also highlighted what's new from local DMCs, such as Turrismo Jamaica DMC's new "Exodus Experience" yachting tours and Island Routes' new personalized team-building activities, power boat excursions and Mini Cooper tours. The Jamaica Tourist Board further announced that the island will serve as the host destination for CMITE 2023, which will be held from August 21-24, 2023, at Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St. James in Montego Bay. CMITE, the Caribbean Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange, is the only one-to-one MICE event in the Caribbean that takes place in private, deluxe rooms and connects pre-qualified, fully hosted, North American meeting planners & incentive buyers with leading Caribbean suppliers. For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com. For more specific information about meeting in Jamaica, please visit https://www.visitjamaica.com/groups/ * For additional details about these offers, please contact the property or DMC directly.