Ahhh ... Ras Natango Gallery and Garden scores big in Miami

Montego Bay-based eco-tourism attraction Ahhh ... Ras Natango Gallery and Garden participated in the recent Cruise Shipping Miami exhibition and conference in Florida, USA.

According to co-owner of the attraction, Tamika Williams, the conference allowed the company to interface with many cruise ship executives and tour operators, a move they confirmed helped to generate a positive buzz for the attraction.

"It was our first time exhibiting at this event, and the responses were overwhelming. Discussions were positive, and the overall feedback is favourable. The international traction and press we received is good for our brand as we take the next step to boost our reach in the marketplace," Williams said.

Williams said the use of authentic Jamaican paintings, multimedia displays, and authentic craft at the booth during the conference allowed buyers and attendees to connect with the Ahhh ... Ras Natango and Jamaica brands.

She said in keeping with the attraction's bid to expand its international reach, the Cruise Shipping Miami event offered an excellent opportunity to market their tourism product to 1,800 cruise line owners and operators from 66 companies across the world.

Cruise Shipping Miami is held each year at the Miami Beach Convention Centre in Florida from March 10-13.

The event is the leading international exhibition and conference serving the cruise industry and brings together buyers and suppliers for a week of networking, sourcing, and education. With this year's success, Ahhh ... Ras Natango Gallery and Garden is confident about participating in 2015.

Ahhh ... Ras Natango is located in Camrose district in St James and was voted recently as the number-one place to shop in Jamaica on USA Today's 10 Best travel sites. The attraction offers birdwatching and birdfeeding, a tour of its gardens, and art lessons. The property also consists of an art gallery and a boutique stocked with indigenous Jamaican craft.

"We showed that at Cruise Shipping Miami and they all loved it and want to experience it. We want visitors who come to Jamaica to experience the same excitement and the enthusiasm of those who visited our booth, which will help our brand reach their customers," Williams said.