Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

PROCTOR

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), at a dinner and awards ceremony at Sandals Cay, Montego Bay, duly honoured former tour operator Jim Proctor, the man credited with generating the growth of the Canadian market to Jamaica, on Saturday night.

Fondly known as 'Mr. Jamaica' in tourism circles, the recently- retired senior vice-president of Air Canada Vacations (ACV) was praised for 27 years of sterling contribution to the island's tourist industry.

"One cannot deny the impressive growth that Jamaica has been experiencing in the Canadian market," said Basil Smith, director of tourism. "Latest figures show that October saw approximately 40 per cent more stopover visitors coming to our shores over the same period last year and Jim Proctor played a significant role in helping us to achieve that reality."

He said Proctor's years of association with Jamaica have allowed him to be intimately familiar with the island and our product, while the friendships he forged with tourism interests were useful in strengthening business.

Many of the industry's stake- holders who have worked with the easy-going good-natured stalwart and who turned out for the event spoke of his unwavering support for the island, his ability to have an accurate pulse on the affairs of the island and the forthright attitude he displayed.

"He is a great ambassador of Jamaica," said emcee and former regional manager of the JTB Canada, Bert Kameka.