MONTEGO BAY:
A group of 175 travel agents and tour operators, who visited the island recently, fell in love with Jamaica.
The group came to the island as part of an ongoing familiarisation programme, sponsored by Sandals and Beaches Resorts in association with Canada 3000 airline.
Previous visits took travel agents to Turks and Caicos, St. Lucia and Bahamas.
Several visitors told The Gleaner they were impressed by the people and beauty of Jamaica and pledged to return.
On arrival in St. Lucia, the group was impressed also by the lush green landscape. Meanwhile in the Bahamas they experienced windy and chilly conditions.
However, the experience in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was different. From the moment they landed on the island, they were forced by the warm climate to put away all warm clothing.
At the Sandals Montego Bay hotel, everyone was given a glass of rum punch, while waiting to be escorted to respective suites. A delectable buffet-style dinner was served by the poolside and, guests were welcomed by the hotel's general manager, Horace Peterkin.
Following this, entertainment was provided on the beach. Some retired early to bed in preparation for the following day's schedule, which included sightseeing on the hotel chain's properties.
At the end of the trip, many travel agents and tour operators lauded the hotels' managers for the beautiful surroundings, especially Sandals Montego Bay, which has been described as the flagship of all the resorts.
Gary Sadler, Sandals' director of sales, Canada, who also stayed in the Montego Bay area, expressed gratitude to those who made it Jamaica.
Mr. Sadler said: "Now that you have experienced what Sandals has to offer, I am expecting that you will send a lot more of your clients to Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Eddie J. Grant
