Pickersgill
THE JAMAICA Tourist Board (JTB) is reporting an increase in the number of Canadians visiting Jamaica.
Fay Pickersgill, Director of Tourism, has pointed out that Canada had outperformed all regions in terms of visitor arrivals to Jamaica last year.
She noted that although the final figures for 2001 had not yet been released, up until the events of September 11 in the United States, Canada was recording highs of up to 11 per cent growth in visitor arrivals.
The JTB head said that this increase in Canadian visitors was largely due to the efforts of Bert Kameka, a tourism stalwart, who wanted to end his career on a high note.
Mr. Kameka, former regional manager of the JTB in Canada, received accolades from various friends and colleagues who organised a function in Toronto, Canada, last week, to say farewell to the tourism stalwart who served with the JTB since 1972.
The Tourism Director noted that Mr. Kameka wanted to retire with Jamaica doing well in Canadian marketplace and he has delivered. "Canada will record significant growth figures for 2001 and that will be a record out of this market," she said. "Having achieved record numbers for Canada, Bert has also spearheaded the campaign to make Jamaica the top English-speaking destination in the Caribbean for Canadians. He has used his relationships to Jamaica's advantage."
