Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

More than 4,000 Canadian travel agents have voted the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) as the best of its kind across the world.

The findings were announced by Edith Baxter, editor-in-chief of the Canadian-based Baxter Travel Media, which presents the Agents Choice Awards to destinations and tourism entities for excellent performance, as deemed in the Canadian travel market.

Baxter made the announcement at the Sandals Island in Montego Bay on Monday evening at a reception attended by regional and international media.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) also copped the awards as Favourite Hotel Chain and Favourite All-Inclusive Hotel worldwide, for the eighth consecutive year.

Executive editor of the Canadian Travel Press, Robert Mowatt, said its 2007 survey had revealed that Jamaica and the Caribbean had done exceptionally well as choice summer and winter destinations in the Canadian travel market, but reiterated that the results were not surprising.

New plans afoot

SRI's chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart said the JTB represented the best in Jamaica, adding that the awards were won based solely on performance and publicly praised his over 10,000 staff.

Stewart also seized the opportunity to announce that Sandals plans to construct a spa resort in Port Antonio, as soon as the Government gives the green light.

Addressing the gathering, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Denis Kingsley, said Canadian arrivals to Jamaica had been doubled over the past four years, adding that more flights from Canada could only lead to more business for Jamaica.

"I have heard that some Canadian carriers will be applying to offer scheduled service to Jamaica soon," he said. "I firmly believe more business for the Canadian airlines is just as good for Jamaica. The tourist industry can earn more in Canada and the relationship between both countries will grow faster."

Newly-elected president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Associa-tion, Wayne Cummings, lauded Baxter Travel Media for its commitment in showcasing Jamaica's tourism offerings to the Canadian travel market since 1967.

He sai Canada was not the largest in terms of visitor arrivals to Jamaica, the annual increases in Canadian business to the island between 2004/05 recorded double digit growth of over 10 per cent, increasing to 31.4 in 2006.

noel.thompson@gleanerjm.com