By Chris Patterson
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (JIS) – The ‘Rediscover Jamaica’ campaign, which encourages Jamaicans to taste, see, feel, and enjoy the country’s tourism product, was officially launched on July 22.
The domestic marketing campaign also encourages persons living on the island to feel good again, by going out and enjoying the sights, scenes, and taste of the island.
Speaking at the official launch at The Jamaica Pegasus, minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, urged persons to take full advantage of the deals that are being provided under the campaign.
“The timing is right for the Rediscover Jamaica Campaign. Summer is traditionally a time when we take day trips to long-time favourites or to those undiscovered places. Our upcoming August holidays provide the perfect reason to enjoy our accommodations, attractions, shopping, and transportation,” Bartlett said.
He reminded that persons must adhere to the safety protocols that have been established by the government to protect themselves and families against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“I want you to take full advantage of them and all with the protocols being observed. The way that we manage in uncertainty, the way that we manage the unknown, is to follow the protocols that are known,” he said.
Bartlett pointed out that the sector’s protocol elements focus on sanitation, physical distancing, enhanced digital enablement, real-time health monitoring and reporting, rapid response, and staff training, among others. He commended the Jamaica tourist board on the work that they have been doing in developing the Rediscover Jamaica campaign.
“This is not a knee-jerk reaction because of COVID, because we started this staycation years ago. We might not have moved it with the energy that we should, but this is a moment when the psychosocial impact of COVID is taking its toll, so we need a release and the wonderful products are all there, the glories of our culture await us. Let’s go out, rediscover Jamaica, enjoy the summer and be safe,” he said.
For his part, director of tourism, Donovan White, noted that more than 100 tourism partners are offering discounts and products to Jamaicans, so that they can enjoy the tourism product.
“Enjoy the products that we and our partners have built together that have served and provided such wonderful experiences for people from around the world. We want every Jamaican to feel that energy and product,” he said.
White informed that the offers range from as high as 50 percent off in some instances, and urged persons to “call their travel agents to book their staycation”.
Meanwhile, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Omar Robinson, said a vast array of safety protocols that will guide employees and visitors have been implemented at hotels, resorts and attractions, noting that this “will form part of the new normal as resorts and attractions are reopened safely”.
“We are ready to welcome our Jamaicans; our properties are ready; the employees are well trained on the safety protocols and will ensure that all our visitors … have a safe and wonderful experience,” he said.
Robinson noted that approximately 35 percent of the island’s resorts have resumed operations.
