Visiting travel agents passionate about selling Jamaica

CORAL SPRING, TRELAWNY:

Ten top-tier travel advisers from the northeastern United States are in Jamaica this week on a familiarisation tour called ‘Come Back to Breathtaking’. The travel specialists are learning about new properties and updating themselves on the ever-changing amenities and enhancements at existing resorts.

Their first stop was the Riu Aquarelle in Trelawny, and by unanimous accounts from the agents, the 753-room beach resort was a complete knockout.

“It is more than amazing that the resort is running at near capacity in less than a month after its official opening,” Stephanie Jackson with Prestige Tour & Travel in Hopewell Junction in upstate New York told The Gleaner.

On Monday night, hundreds of diners could be seen along a corridor by the food court waiting to take up reservations for one of several gourmet restaurants there for which reservations are required.

Among the visiting agents is Ann Lewis, president of the Long Island chapter of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). Lewis is also northeast regional director for ASTA, covering territories from Delaware on the Atlantic seaboard to Maine in New England.

“I have been selling Jamaica for 18 years and it’s great to be back to see the new wave of upgrades, renovation and construction,” Lewis gushed.

The agents are scrutinising Trelawny properties, including Royalton Hideaway, Ocean Place and Eden Bay. Other scheduled stops are Sandals Dunn’s River and Couples Sans Souci in the Ocho Rios area.

The visit to Jamaica was created by Victoria Harper, regional manager (Northeast) for JTB in New York, who also accompanied the agents.