Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), with London's Torrance Lewis (right), was the perfect host at the Jamaica Tourist Board reception. Here they get some laughs out of Laverne Walker (centre), of Sackville Travel Services Ltd. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Just over a year ago, the United Kingdom's number one Caribbean restaurant brought sunshine and great food to London's Docklands, literally warming the chilly waters at the ExCel Marina.

From left: Island Car Rentals' Michael Campbell, Chukka Caribbean Adventures' John Byles, Jamaica Tourist Board's Donavon Donaldson and Dulcie Moody.

Last Wednesday night, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, and his team returned the favour, coupling their efforts with Red Stripe beer, jerked chicken and pork, escoveitched fish, patties and rum punch, at the distinguished restaurant called Caribbean Scene.

Carlyle Allen (left), chief executive officer of the Wexford Court Hotel, Montego Bay, greets United Kingdom travel specialist Donna Joseph and Dolphin Cove's Gregory Burrowes.

The minister had spent three days in London negotiating new deals at the World Travel Market, while making acquaintance with existing partners. On this night in particular, he chose to say thanks to the travel agents who 'eat, sleep, dream' Jamaica and are responsible for keeping the diaspora market alive.

Feted jamaican hoteliers

Lindsay Ingram (left) of Newmont Travel Limited and Marilyn Burrowes (centre) of Dolphin Cove sample the Jamaican patties, jerked pork, chicken niblets and escoveitched fish being served by Victoria Misiunaite at the Jamaica Tourist Board's cocktail reception at the Caribbean Scene Restaurant at ExCel Marina in London, last Wednesday night.

In his usual jovial mood, Jamaica's chief tourism salesman feted Beverly Lindsay of Diamond Travel, Lindsay Ingram, Newmont Travel Limited, Laverne Walker of Sackville Travel Services, and Donna Joseph, along with a host of Jamaican hoteliers, ground handlers, attraction operators and destination management companies.

Jamaica's deputy director of tourism - marketing, David Shields (left), and George deMercardo in conversation with the largest diaspora agent in the United Kingdom, Beverly Lindsay, of Diamond Travel.

John Lynch, the new Jamaica Tourist Board chairman, Director of Tourism Basil Smith, regional director in the United Kingdom, Elizabeth Fox, Director General Carolle Guntley, Air Jamaica's Paul Pennicook and George deMercardo, Jamaica Trade and Invest Kirk Kennedy and Caribbean Scene's proprietors, Patrick and Valrie Marche, were all in attendance.