amjamin

JMA/JEA Expo 2010 generates interest, pulls crowds, paves way for resurgence for the capital The National Arena was decked up to the occasion, colourful festoons, companies showcasing their wares, crowds milling, enjoying the ambience and the samplers, in all it was one great show. The Expo, which is the first major event to be organized after the state of emergency was imposed in Kingston last month, brought the best of the city. “There were some misgivings from overseas buyers when the state of emergency was imposed,” said Berletta Helon Forrester, export promotion manager at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). “But we assured them that Jamaica was open for business and safe and that we decided to proceed with the Expo was a reassurance.” Helon Forrester informed that there were twenty cancellations, out of the initial 184 buyers that had registered, but through their (JAMPRO’s) aggressive marketing the number of buyers who registered went to 309. “We targeted our traditional ...

Published 9 June, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The effects of the gun battles that ensued in downtown Kingston last month are still ricocheting in the hospitality sector of the city as it picks up the pace and moves ahead to recover from the scars that the chain of events has left on the city. From drop-in arrivals to cancellation of room bookings, Kingston's hotels are feeling the heat. But resilience and planning are the key to getting back on the track. "The Kingston area hotels were affected negatively by the events in downtown Kingston and saw drop-off in arrivals as well as cancellations," confirmed Nicola Madden-Greig, chairman, Kingston chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and group director of marketing and sales, The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites. "It is important to note, however, that all area hotels were at 100 per cent operational capacity throughout the events and was not affected in any wa...

South Florida Jamaicans keep wary eye on unrest By Georgia East, Sun Sentinel SUNRISE:  With images of soldiers under attack, police standoffs and gang violence erupting in pockets of west Kingston, Jamaica, some South Florida Jamaicans are reconsidering travel plans and expressing concern about loved ones on the island. Airlines that carry passengers between South Florida and Kingston were canceling or rescheduling flights Tuesday. Flights into and out of Montego Bay were unaffected. The unrest stems from the planned extradition to the U.S. of alleged drug lord Christopher "Dudus'' Coke, who has some popular support in Kingston. On Tuesday masked gunmen tried to block security forces from raiding a Coke stronghold, leading to a bloody confrontation. The latest report is that 26 civilians are dead and 25 have been injured, according to Amitabh Sharma , a journalist speaking from Kingston. Jamaican authorities declared a state of emergency in parts of the capi...

- Kingston hotels seek to capitalize on city based events -   - Roll out aggressive marketing spree to match opportunities - Published, May 12, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica As the mercury is shooting, so are the efforts by Kingston based hotel and hospitality industry to make the best of the summer. To get the maximum mileage in the season, the Kingston chapter of Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has stepped up the marketing campaigns to target new markets. “While Kingston does not have the typical seasonality as the North Coast, we are looking towards decent travel from now until September,” said Nicola Madden Greig, chairman, Kingston chapter of the JHTA. This projection, she said, is bolstered by numerous special events as well as the Emancipation/Independence week; “this is when we see a lot of returning Jamaicans.” Charting the past trends, the increase in occupancy and visitor traffic to Kingston has been correlated to events that are held in the...

In full bloom , originally uploaded by AmitabhS .

Nature in a riot of colours , originally uploaded by AmitabhS .