Tie The Knot In Jamaica
By Melanie Reffes
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Jamaica is wooing the romance market with picturesque venues, a slew of recent honors from the World Travel Awards, three new weekly nonstop flights from Chicago to Montego Bay and the most popular Facebook page under the tropical sun with 100,000 fans and counting . (www.facebook.com/visitjamaica)
From traditional to downright whimsical, with dolphins acting as aquatic ring bearers, Jamaica is the go-to island for dreamy nuptials. “Destination weddings are the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism business,” said Wayne Cummings, president, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association. Director of Tourism John Lynch noted, “It’s a piece of cake to tie the knot in Jamaica.” Referring to the opening this month of the Montego Bay Convention Center and the Falmouth Cruise Port, John Lynch added that visitor arrivals are looking rosy. “As we begin 2011, we will be poised to attract a growing number of visitors, and we will continue our work with travel agents as our partnership is essential to Jamaica’s continued success.”
Twenty-fours after arriving in Jamaica, couples can be legally married, providing prior application has been made for a marriage license. Although many resorts offer assistance in obtaining the license, couples wanting to do it themselves can contact the Ministry of Justice at 876-906-4923.
In order for the ceremony to be legally recognized at home, proof of citizenship is required including certified copies of birth certificates and the original divorce decree if this is a second (or third) marriage for one of the spouses.
Say I Do
Sandals and Beaches Resorts have paired with Martha Stewart for a myriad of wedding options including a ‘Vision in White’ package for couples who prefer a classic wedding to the ‘Flutter of Romance’ option, that invites butterflies for a splash of fantasy. Recently recognized as AAA Four Diamond resort, Sandals Negril Beach Resort is among just the top four percent of member properties to earn the prestigious distinction. “We have spent countless hours ensuring that this resort is a leader in eco-friendly tourism, without compromising its stance as a top-tier luxury resort,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman. (www.sandals.com, www.beaches.com)
Formerly Sandals Dunn’s River Villagio, 250-room all-inclusive Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort (www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com) in Ocho Rios is open for business with pool concierges that serve skewers of fresh fruit and eucalyptus-infused water.
At Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril, marriage proposals carved in ice are a cool way to pop the question. With a nod to clever marketing, ‘LoveAway’ offers a deferred no-interest payment plan aimed at twosomes—a $100 deposit guarantees the rate and room category. “A vacation provides pairs with the much-needed opportunity to not only combat their intimacy problems, but also strengthen and repair their bond,” said Randy Russell, chief romance officer. Visit www.couples.com
Celebrating ‘second time around’ and ‘third time lucky’, Franklyn D. Resort and FDR Pebbles Resort (http://fdrholidays.com) encourage couples with kids in tow. While wedding planners look after the minister to the music, newly-blended families have plenty of quality time to bond on the beach.
Honeymoons in paradise are de rigueur at Tensing Pen (http://tensingpen.com) on the western tip of Negril. A collection of thatch and stone cottages, hammocks scattered along the cliffs and a cove bridge perfect for photographs are the stuff of storybook honeymoons. “We do at least one wedding each week with couples often staying for their honeymoon and then returning on their anniversary,” said Joseph Smith, manager. (Note to newlyweds and agents: The Lodge has been refreshed with shiny new floors crafted from Jamaican Blue Mahoe, the national tree of the island).
The Big Day
Dolphin Cove (www.dolphincovejamaica.com), the largest dolphin attraction on the island, is open in Negril with eight Cuban-born dolphins that are trained to act as wedding witnesses. The trainer places the wedding ring in a flotation device in the water, a dolphin fetches it and then re-surfaces with the device (and the ring) balanced on its nose. "The word is getting out about our dolphin weddings," said Stephen Bethel, general manager. “They have become an unexpected niche market for us.” A 15 percent agent commission is offered for bookings of a wedding, Dolphin Swim experience and the Touch Encounter that allows visitors the memorable opportunity to stroke the dolphins while standing in shallow water. Additions will include a crocodile habitat, interactive stingray program and a 500 – 700 room hotel.
Fronting the Hip Strip in Montego Bay, weddings are a breeze on Cornwall Beach (www.cornwallbeachja.com) in seaside gazebos strung with colorful bouquets. A minister not only performs the ceremony but also offers pre-wedding counseling to warm up cold feet. “We cater for two to two-hundred people, “says Lorraine Chung, wedding organizer. “We can also do the rehearsal dinner if the couple is already booked to have a wedding in a church or resort.”
Soon To Come
January 16-18: Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), in conjunction with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel & Tourism Association (JHTA) host Caribbean Marketplace at the Montego Bay Convention Center.
Jan. 23 – 29: Grammy award-winning pop-rock band Maroon 5 will headline the 15th anniversary of the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, east of Montego Bay.
The first Royal Caribbean cruise ships at the Falmouth Pier include the Navigator of the Seas on Jan. 7, (3,270 pax) and the Freedom of the Seas on January 12, (3,816 pax). The Allure of the Seas, the newer of the Genesis class ships, arrives on March 16, (5,670 pax) and the Oasis of the Seas arrives on March 22, (5,670 pax).
Aiming to cash in on the foot traffic at the pier, Chukka Caribbean Adventures (www.chukkacaribbean.com) will debut “Chukka at Good Hope”, a soft adventure excursion to the Good Hope Estate for scenic views of the Marta Brae River and tours of the historic plantation.
To plan a wedding or a vacation in Jamaica call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA or click www.visitjamaica.com
Jamaica on a Roll
JAMAICA’S TOURISM OFFICIALS GATHER AT JAPEX – Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (third right) caught up with a number of Jamaica’s tourism officials during the just concluded Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay. From left to right: Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Carrole Guntley, Director General in the Ministry of Tourism; Wayne Cummings, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA); Donnie Dawson, Deputy Director of Tourism - Sales at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB); Minister Bartlett; Camille Needham, Executive Director of the JHTA and John Lynch, Director of Tourism and Chairman, JTB.
By Melanie Reffes & Doug Cooke
Now in its 20th year, Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) is the island’s premier trade event organized by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Held this year in Montego Bay, the well-attended show was opened by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding who praised the stellar season of arrivals. “We try to be humble about it but the figures do not lie,” he told delegates at Sandals Cay. “Last year, we led the entire Caribbean region in terms of improving our stopover arrivals by 3 .6 percent.”
Also touting high arrival numbers, Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, said the island attracted 700,000 visitors this past high season and hopes are high for the rest of the year. “We now have 1.3 million seats for summer and if we achieve the 70 percent projection that I make, it will be another record, because we would be bringing in over 900,000 visitors throughout the summer.”
To entice low season travel, tour operators are rolling out packages brimming with discounts, complimentary nights and a host of add-ons. Participating in the summer blitz are Passport Limited, Pleasant Holidays, Funjet Vacations, Expedia, Travelocity, American Airlines Vacations, US Airways Vacations, MLT Vacations and Travel Impressions. “With the great savings at many of our properties, this summer is a great time, especially for families, to travel to Jamaica,” said John Lynch, director of tourism.
Although Caribbean Airlines took over Air Jamaica in May, service continues from New York (JFK), Baltimore, Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale. Visit www.caribbean-airlines.com. Additional nonstop service this summer includes American Airlines from Miami, New York (JFK), Dallas and Chicago, Continental from Newark and Houston, JetBlue from New York (JFK), Boston and Orlando, Delta from New York (JFK), Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis, US Airways from Charlotte, Phoenix and Philadelphia, Spirit from Fort Lauderdale, Apple Vacations from Chicago and St. Louis and FunJet from St. Louis.
Sweet Dreams
Hedonism III is going conservative with the re-branding of the popular SuperClubs property to a SuperFun Beach Resort. The once racy property in Runaway Bay will close on August 22 and reopen on October 14 as a 225-room resort targeting those who prefer their bathing suit to their birthday suit. Bookings made for Hedonism III will be honored at the second Hedonism resort in Negril. “With the successful Breezes re-branding in 2009, we’ve listened to our guests and travel partners yet again, and to meet their needs and to further support Jamaica’s growing tourism sector, we’re welcoming SuperFun Beach Resort to the SuperClubs family,” said Paul Pennicook, president of International Lifestyles, SuperClubs representative in the U.S. Visit www.superclubs.com.
Operating under the AM Resorts brand, Secrets Resorts made its debut with the 700-room side-by-side Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid. Within the first year, the two MoBay all-inclusive properties expect to receive 52,000 guests. Visit www.secretsresorts.com.
Half Moon Resort is selling a Family Time package that includes airport transfers, food and beverages, nanny service and water sports. Valid through December 15th, nightly rates start at $619.00 for two with a minimum of three nights. Visit www.halfmoon.com.
With a storied past that includes the seaside wedding of actor Taye Diggs to Broadway star Idina Menzel, Round Hill in Montego Bay is adding a new package to its repertoire. For travel through December 18th, “Stay Longer & Save” offers one night gratis with stays of up to fourteen days. (Reservations must be made with the resort with agents referencing they read it in JAX FAX) “Travel agents provide a special service to their customers and then work with Round Hill to ensure a seamless resort experience,” said Josef Fortsmayr, managing director. A fifty percent reduction on rack rates is offered to agents. Visit www.roundhilljamaica.com
Also with a rich history, GoldenEye will re-open in October after a two-year renovation period. A bonafide iconic Jamaican resort as the original home of James Bond novelist Ian Fleming, the new GoldenEye will feature the original Fleming villa, eleven new beach cottages and six new lagoon suites. Visit www.islandoutpost.com.
Size matters at the Grand Palladium and adjacent Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton in Lucea, near Montego Bay. A $180 million expansion to begin in September will add 800 suites to the combined room count of 1,054.” We are excited about this prospect and we think this will enable other investors who are looking at Jamaica to make the decision and move forward,” said Edmund Bartlett, tourism minister. Visit www.fiestahotelgroup.com
The Great Outdoors
New on the tour horizon, Island Routes offers 150 excursions from swimming with the dolphins to cycling in the Blue Mountains. A new travel agent registration feature on the website (www.islandroutes.com) simplifies commission payments. “Island Routes understands the importance of the travel agent’s stamp of approval,” says Dominique Peterkin, general manager. “Not only are we providing clients with the chance to have a hassle-free vacation, but we’re also thrilled to provide our partners the opportunity to earn commission on these certified destination experiences.”
Sky-high weddings are taking off at Rainforest Adventures at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios. The “I Do at 700 Feet” package offers several wedding venues to daring couples including while flying high on the Sky Explorer through the treetops. Note to celebrity spotters; Olympic runner Usian Bolt is a fan of the park and visits often. Visit www.rainforestrams.com.
A spike in cruise arrivals is anticipated for the 2010-2011 cruise season when Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas drops anchor at the new Falmouth port next December. The two-berth port on the north coast will also greet Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas on January 7 and will be one of the stops on the Navigator’s seven-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale. Next March, Royal Caribbean’s 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas will also stop at Falmouth.
Make a Date
July 4 - Portland Jerk Festival celebrates the spicy cuisine of the island.
July 11th - Little Ochi Seafood Carnival is a must-try for the peppered shrimp.
July 18-24 - Sumfest is the largest reggae festival in the world attracting thousands each year to Montego Bay.
August 5- 8 - Red Stripe Dream Weekend in Negril is a staple for party lovers.
Jan. 16-18, 2011 - Caribbean Marketplace 2011 will be held at the new Montego Bay Convention Centre. For more information, visit www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com.
Exclusive Interview with John Lynch
Jamaica director of tourism
With the aim to shore up its image following the upheavals in Kingston last month, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has announced a FAM trip campaign that will bring 3,000 travel agents to the resort coast starting June 21st and continuing the first week of September through December. Speaking to JAXFAX from Montego Bay, John Lynch, director of tourism, said the campaign to bolster the island’s image also involves programs to be held for agents in the US. “Our agent road show will start at the end of June and continue until mid-July when members of the JTB and island hoteliers will visit key cities including NY, Long Island, NJ, Philadelphia, Chicago, LA and Miami.”
Although the ‘state of emergency’ in Kingston and St. Andrew will expire in the middle of June, it has spurred action which Lynch believes is positive. “We are feverishly tackling our problem of crime; however, we have one of the lowest rates of crime against visitors in the Caribbean.” Describing business as usual on the resort coast, Lynch added no significant cancellations have been reported. “For example," he said, “the Ritz-Carlton has sold-out dates in June and air arrivals into Montego Bay are the same as they were last year at this time.”