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Jamaica ‘Next Big Thing’ for Nigerian tourists

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Jamaica is being hailed as “the next big thing” for Nigerian tourists by that country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama, following the arrival of the first non-stop flight from Nigeria to Jamaica, which touched down at the Sangster International Airport last night (December 21).

“We really expect to see it (tourism) take off in a big way,” said Minister Onyeama, who was among some 140 passengers on the inaugural flight, which landed just after 10:00 p.m. and was welcomed with two jet streams creating a water arc, as the vessel cruised towards the terminal building.

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister said in that region of the world there was familiarity with Brazil, which has a large Nigerian population, but “we believe that Jamaica is the next big thing for us as far as tourism is concerned.”

Noting that “Nigerians are big travellers,” he said “we’re huge in tourism and travel.” Minister Onyeama said: “We just feel this is a gold mine, a gem waiting to be discovered by the majority of Nigerians and I think once Nigerians discover this you will see us in droves.” Among the passengers were travellers from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. Another direct flight is expected in two months.

While unavoidably absent, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett lauded the historic arrival of the flight. In stressing the flight’s significance, he said: “Historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Jamaica date back to the days of slavery and many Jamaicans today have their ancestral roots in that African country.” He added that “we have been working together to bring this to fruition for some time and I am pleased that we have opened yet another gateway, which provides scope for the added growth of our tourism sector and the forging of greater bonds between both countries.”

There was a strong representation of Jamaican government officials on hand to welcome Minister Onyeama and the other Nigerian visitors. Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Robert Montague also saw it as an historic occasion. “For Jamaica to welcome Air Piece charter with a Minister and over 130 Nigerians is historic in so many ways.” He opined that “every single Jamaican is feeling good tonight that we have welcomed our first direct flight from Nigeria. It is going to be the start of many good things.”

Minister Montaque noted the collaboration of his ministry with the ministries of Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Airports Authority and Jamaica’s High Commissioner in Lagos, His Excellency Esmond Reid, in making it happen.

The welcome party also included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith; Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations, Mrs. Joy Roberts; Regional Director of Tourism, Mrs. Odette Dyer and Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports Ltd., Mr. Shane Munroe.

More news about Jamaica

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Minister Bartlett lauds JHTA’s COVID-19 Ambassador Program

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) for their new COVID-19 Ambassador Program and has given his assurance that the Ministry of Tourism will continue to provide tangible support towards the initiative.

Speaking recently at the Kingston Launch of the initiative at R Hotel, the Minister said: “The celebration of the ambassador program is a full statement of how responsible we are as an industry and how we are playing our part in this whole process of managing the risk.”

“This is the kind of response that a responsible partner makes. What has happened, starting in Ocho Rios a few weeks ago, is a tangible indication of the partnership that tourism has with health in the delivery of service in the public health system of Jamaica,” he added.

The JHTA COVID-19 Ambassador Program, which was first launched last month at the Moon Palace Jamaica hotel in Ocho Rios, will continue to see hotel employees trained in the health and safety protocols for the tourism sector, going into communities where they live to train community members in the COVID-19 protocols such as proper handwashing techniques, social distancing, mask-wearing and sanitization.

Minister Bartlett indicated that the program complements the measures and protocols implemented by the Ministry of Tourism working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Wellness and other government bodies and tourism partners.

Bartlett noted that his Ministry has donated masks towards the initiative and has also engaged in a public education campaign to support the JHTA’s ambassador program.

“The Ministry is fully behind the ambassador Program. TPDCo is already on board and TEF has provided 10,000 masks and we are in the position to provide 10,000 more.  Our own workers in the tourism ministry and agencies are willing to walk with you in the field as we make this one work. Public education not just by words but by being proactive and by practice,” said Minister Bartlett.

The JHTA’s COVID-19 Ambassador Program will also be launched in Montego Bay, Negril and the South Coast in the weeks to come.

“Every individual who is involved in this industry must embrace this, and let us go out into the hinterlands. Let’s go into the alleys and into the hills and the valleys and all across Jamaica carrying this message, that the only way we can secure the economy of Jamaica and secure the health of our people is through abiding by the protocols that have been established,” said the Minister

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Minister Bartlett remembers Canadian Tourism icon Edith Baxter

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep regret at the passing of long-time friend and industry colleague Edith Baxter, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Canadian publishing group Baxter Media.

“I wish to offer my heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Baxter’s daughter Wendy McClung, along with her extended family and the entire Baxter Media management and staff during this difficult time. Ms. Baxter was a powerful voice within the Canadian travel industry for more than five decades and her legacy will be remembered for years to come,” said Minister Bartlett.

Edith, or Mrs. B as she was fondly known among friends, was an unparalleled leader in Canada’s travel industry. For more than 50 years, she served at the helm of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier – two of the country’s most respected and widely read weekly travel trade publications.

She founded the prominent media group in 1968 alongside her late husband and business partner William (Bill) Henry Baxter, who passed away in 2004.

Reflecting on Baxter’s passing, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) John Lynch said, “She will be remembered fondly as a brilliant journalist, a savvy businesswoman and a true friend of Jamaica. She made dozens of trips to the island – particularly enjoying her time at Half Moon Resort – and she developed strong friendships with former JTB Regional Directors Pat Samuels and Sandra Scott.”

Under the leadership of Edith Baxter, Baxter Media has played an integral role in spotlighting Destination Jamaica in the Canadian market over the last five decades.

In 2018, Baxter was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in recognition of her contributions to the tourism industry and the important work she had done behalf of Jamaica.

For the last 25 years, Baxter Media has organized the popular Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament, hosted on island in partnership with Sandals Resorts. The annual industry event brings dozens of travel agents, tour operators, airline representatives and tourism partners together in Jamaica for a week of networking events, friendly competition on the links and vibrant island hospitality.

Jamaica has also been featured prominently as an award-winning destination and tourism board at Baxter Media’s annual Agents’ Choice Awards, the largest and most comprehensive survey of travel agents in Canada. For 15 consecutive years, Jamaica has been named ‘Favourite Tourist Board – Caribbean’ at the annual readers’ choice awards.

“Edith Baxter was a true trailblazer who made an enormous impact on the travel community here in Canada and beyond,” recalls Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, JTB.

“Whenever I had the pleasure of meeting with her, I always found myself in awe as she spoke about her career and shared stories of her travels to Jamaica. She had a true love affair with the island and will be dearly missed.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Centara moves ahead with more hotel re-openings in July as travel business rebounds

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces the reopening of eight hotels on 1 and 3 July 2020 in key destinations around Thailand as the government continues to ease travel restrictions nationwide.

The seven hotels and resorts ready to offer a warm welcome back to travellers on 1 July include: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana; Khum Phaya Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection; Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani; Centara Hotel Hat Yai; Centra by Centara Phu Pano Resort Krabi and COSI Pattaya Wong Amat Beach. Additionally, Centara Azure Hotel Pattaya will re-open on 3 July.

Centara moves ahead with more hotel re-openings in July as travel business rebounds
Centara Hotel Hat Yai (1st row, left), Centra by Centara Phu Pano Resort Krabi (1st row right), Centara Azure Hotel Pattaya (2nd row, left) and COSI Pattaya Wong Amat Beach (2nd row, right)

All the hotels are reopening with the Centara Complete Care hygiene and social distancing programme fully in place to ensure guests experience the most comfortable, safe, new normal stay possible, post Covid-19. As business and leisure travellers return to Centara properties they can stay confident with the 12-point action plan which provides complete reassurance to guests, covering social distancing, health, hygiene, and enhanced sanitisation through the entire guest journey.

These newly re-opened hotels add to the lineup of appealing Centara stays already available to domestic travellers eager to get away on short staycations and getaways. Centara Grand at CentralWorld, the group’s flagship property has remained open throughout the pandemic to provide support to healthcare heroes, whilst many other hotels outside of Bangkok are also already enjoying welcoming guests such as: Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien; Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha; Centara Q Rayong; Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat and  Centara Tropicana Koh Chang.

Domestic tourism confidence has helped Centara achieve occupancy rates of up to 100% at weekends, reflecting the robust local travel market which is leading the travel rebound. A number of Centara hotels and resorts in international destinations with low infection rates are also currently operating, including Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang; Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa Sri Lanka, Centara West Bay Residences & Suites Doha and Centara Muscat Hotel Oman.

For more information, please visit the Centara website at www.centarahotelsresorts.com

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 77 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises seven brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com

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For more information and media enquiries, please contact

Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – International Media, Centara Hotels & Resorts

[email protected]                        Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733

Puntira Cherdboonmuang (Gam)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – Thai media, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Email: [email protected]                    Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6922

Jerome Richard

VP, Communications – Delivering Asia Communications

Tel. +66 (0) 90 902 5407

Email: [email protected]

More news about Centara.

#rebuildingtravel

More news about Centara.

#rebuildingtravel

Centara donates 10,000 room nights to medical heroes

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, continues its support of the country’s medical workers with the launch of its “10,000 Thanks” campaign dedicated to the heroes working tirelessly for the wellbeing of the people.

As a token of heartfelt gratitude for the healthcare heroes in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, Centara is donating 10,000 room nights for doctors and nurses to enjoy a complimentary one-night stay for two guests at any Centara Hotels & Resorts property in Thailand or overseas.

In recognition of their continuing hard work and the challenging circumstances in which doctors and nurses have been working, Centara is offering frontline medical staff across the country a chance to take a much-deserved break, completely free of charge, to recharge and reconnect with their loved ones.

“10,000 Thanks” can be redeemed across the group’s five existing brands – Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, and COSI – in destinations across Thailand and overseas, including a number of resort destinations such as Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Krabi and Samui as well as urban destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani and Hat Yai.

The free night offer is reserved for medical front line professionals who are doctors and nurses with Thai nationality or currently residing in Thailand only.

Coinciding with Thailand’s lifting of all restrictions in July following months of phased re-opening, the “10,000 Thanks” offer can be booked between 1st July – 30th December 2020 for stays within the same period.

Centara is also extending appreciation to all other workers across the medical industry with an offer of 25% off every rate across the group’s entire portfolio spanning 18 destinations. “25 for heroes” bookings can be made on www.centarahotelsresorts.com between 1st July – 30th  December 2020 with no restrictions on travel period.

The “10,000 Thanks” and “25 for heroes” medical personnel campaigns are the latest in a series of initiatives launched by Centara Hotels & Resorts to help communities and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since April 2020, the group has partnered with charities and government organisations to provide 1,500 food boxes to support at-risk communities, and offered hotel rooms in Centara Grand at CentralWorld and Centara Muscat Hotel Oman to host healthcare staff and people in need. Centara’s Help the Heroes’ campaign also aims to support those in need with donations going to the Chaipattana Covid-19 Aid Fund (and other pandemics) and Thai Red Cross Society.

“Thailand has not seen community transmission of COVID-19 for over a month now, and there’s no question of the importance the role our country’s healthcare heroes play in keeping us healthy and safe. As restrictions in the country start to ease, we invite doctors and nurses to enjoy a much-needed holiday on us, as a humble token of our immeasurable appreciation of their selfless efforts,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

For more information on the “10,000 Thanks” & “25 for heroes” campaign, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/10000thanks and https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/25-for-heroes/

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 77 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises seven brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com

Facebook                    LinkedIn                      Instagram                    Twitter

For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – International Media, Centara Hotels & Resorts

[email protected]                        Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733

Puntira Cherdboonmuang (Gam)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – Thai media, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Email: [email protected]                    Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6922

Jerome Richard

VP, Communications – Delivering Asia Communications

Tel. +66 (0) 90 902 5407

Email: [email protected]

#rebuildingtravel