JTB hosting virtual travel agent series this month

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is launching a new virtual travel agent engagement series this month with the Jamaica Winter Open House on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. ET.

Hosted on Zoom, the informal drop-in session will give Canadian advisors an opportunity to hear about the latest new developments from the island, ask their questions about the destination, and learn about the JTB’s programs and activations in market.

Destination Jamaica will host Open House events on a quarterly basis throughout 2024. The online sessions will be led by the JTB Canada sales team: Dan Hamilton, Racquel Queensborough, Émilie Giguère and Sonia Machado. During the Winter Open House on Feb. 21, the JTB team will be joined by special guest Nicholas Watson, head of international sales for VIP Attractions (Club Mo Bay and Club Kingston).

“The JTB Canada team is looking forward to connecting with retail agents from across the country in this casual setting,” said Angella Bennett, regional director, Canada, JTB. “Each quarterly open house will be designed to be a free-flowing conversation with no formal script or agenda; we encourage agents to drop in and connect with us and our special guests to learn about the destination, get their questions answered and have some fun.”

About the open house series

Much like the JTB’s popular Irie Hour sessions, which were hosted throughout 2020 and 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 period, Jamaica’s quarterly Open House series will nurture a sense of community among participants. Agents will have a chance to get to know the BDM for their region while also connecting with industry friends and colleagues.

Those who are interested in attending in the Jamaica open house sessions will have the option to log in on camera or dial in by phone. During the open discussion, questions and comments can be shared publicly or posted in a private chat.

The quarterly series will continue with a spring open house on May 21, featuring special guest Ilia Tomlinson from Chukka Caribbean Adventures. Jamaica will host a summer open house on Aug. 21 and a fall open house on Nov. 21.

How to register

To register for the first installment of the Jamaica Open House Series, go to visitjamaica.com/canada/openhouse.

For travel advisors who are looking for a more in-depth education on Destination Jamaica, the JTB Canada team provides free online training on the last Thursday of every month as part of its Jamaica Training University program.

The immersive destination training sessions cover resort areas, attractions, hotel properties, travel requirements and much more. Classes are hosted on Zoom at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in English, and at 12 p.m. in French.

Agents can learn more and sign up to participate at visitjamaica.com/canada/training-university.