JTB honours tour operators

A TOTAL of 21 international tour operators, cruise lines and Jamaican trailblazers in tourism were honoured recently for their contribution to the development of the tourist industry in Jamaica.

Staged as one of the major activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Blue Mountain Awards ceremony was held at King's House under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency, the Most Honourable, Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General of Jamaica.

His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke (fourth left) along with local tourism interests poses with two of the recipients of the Blue Mountain Awards held recently at King's House. The two awardees are: Wayne Nosworthy of My Travel North America (third left) and Allister Patterson of Air Canada Vacations (third right). Others sharing in the occasion were: From L- Director General, Carolle Guntley, Industry and Tourism Minister, Aloun N'dombet Assamba, Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook and chairman of the JTB Dennis Morrison.

Created in 1983, the awards are intended to recognise excellence for persons or organisations that have provided business for the destination.

This year's recipients were honoured for the increase in business they generated from May 2004 to April 2005 over numbers for the previous year, May 2003 to April 2004.

Six awards went to tour operators in the United States, three operators in the United Kingdom, two to Canadian tour operators and one each to operators in Italy and Germany. A Most Improved Tour Operator award was presented to Travelocity in the United States.

The Blue Mountain awards have been offered on three previous occasions in 1983, 1990 and 1995. This year, for the first time, the awards were given to cruise operators and local trailblazers in the industry.

In his toast to the tour operators, the director of tourism, Paul Pennicook, said, "In my dealings over the years, I have not only learnt but I have come to appreciate the value of our tour operator partners."

Delivering the main address, Industry and Tourism Minister, Aloun N'dombet Assamba, said, "As an island, Jamaica has a lot to offer the traveller, but without the relationships which have been established with you our partners, our tourism would not have grown in the way it has done."

She pointed out that many of the tour operators were sending guests to the island for more than 20 years. "That's 20 years of trusting, 20 years of believing in our ability to deliver on your promise, 20 years of loyalty to developing a nation," she remarked.