Andrew Smith/Photography Editor
Visitors enjoying a stroll on one of Jamaica's luxury beaches.
Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
DESPITE THE worrying levels of crime and violence, the country is still ranked as one of the top destinations among visitors from Canada.
In fact, one major Canadian tour company, Sun Quest, said it has enjoyed doing business with the island and will be increasing its intake of visitors this winter tourist season by over 30 per cent. Other Canadian tour operators remain optimistic about doing business here.
Director of Sun Quest Tours, Eamonn Ferrin, told The Gleaner that last year his company brought in over 15,000 visitors from Canada and that this year it has added another flight to the schedule which will allow them to bring an additional 5,000 visitors.
Mr. Ferrin was speaking over the weekend following a welcome reception at Sandals Dunn's River Resort in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, for the 23rd annual visit of the Baxter Travel Group out of Canada.
EXCELLENT TOURISM PRODUCT
He said Jamaica still has an excellent tourism product which is loved by Canadians, many of whom always look forward to visiting the island. Mr. Ferrin made special mention of the Jamaican people, saying that they were the country's best assets. He said Sun Quest has been enjoying an excellent relationship with Jamaica and that the company looks forward to building even stronger ties with the destination.
The Baxter Travel Group, headed by renowned travel writer Edith Baxter, has been taking scores of Canadians, including celebrities to the island each year, to participate in golf and other activities.
This year, the group of over 100 visitors represents an increase over last year's number and Mrs. Baxter said there has been an increasingly high demand from Canadians who want to be a part of the group.
Director of sales at the Sandals office in Canada, Gary Saddler, said the relationship between the Baxter Group and Sandals has been a tremendous success. He said visitors who get the opportunity to be a part of the group not only fall in love with the country but always have a desire to return. Mr. Saddler said that about 70 per cent of the Baxter Tour Group become repeat visitors.
