Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

Manhattan, New York:

She flies the flag of the Caribbean like no one else does, and he met Jamaica by surrendering to the charm of a Jamaican woman.

The distinguished Jacqueline Johnson and writer par distinction Joe Yogerst were yesterday presented with the Jamaica Tourist Board/Caribbean Tourism Organisation awards for excellence in their efforts to market the region as a premier travel destination.

Johnson, a Jamaican who is reknowned for her unwavering support for sourcing educational opportunities for Caribbean students, copped the coveted Marcella Martinez award while Yogerst easily walked off with the annual Marcia Vickery-Wallace award for excellence in travel journalism.

The presentations were made during the Caribbean Tourism Development Company's Annual Caribbean Marketing Workshop and Awards Luncheon held at the New York Marriott Marquis as part of Caribbean Week 2007.

Most deserving

"Jacqueline Johnson is most deserving of this award, and we know Marcella would be thrilled with our selection," declared Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Assamba, before making the presentation.

Johnson is a seasoned veteran of the travel industry with 20 years of experience working in advertising, marketing, media, consumer and trade publications.

The Marcia Vickery-Wallace Award

The Marcia Vickery-Wallace Award was established in 1987 as a tribute to Marcia Vickery-Wallace, former editor of Brides Magazine.

This year, Director of Tourism Basil Smith made the presentation to Yogerst, travel writer, for the passion with which he has written about the charming culture of the Caribbean.

"Joe has visited and covered high-profile events in countries all over the world, but his focus and love have always been with the Caribbean. He has travelled to and written on just about every island in the Caribbean, and truly understands and cherishes the culture and the people," Smith said.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com