Canadian travel agents were on hand to help say ‘I do,’ as the Jamaica Tourist Board recently hosted the Jamaica Bridal Expo at the Montego Bay Convention Center. The aim was to showcase the island as one of the Caribbean’s top wedding and honeymoon destinations
The two-day event brought together wedding industry professionals, travel advisors and destination newlyweds, giving them the opportunity to meet with top hotels, venues and service providers, with a focus on niche markets including South Asian weddings.
More than 100 travel agents from Canada and the U.S. were in attendance and the Jamaica Tourist Board reports strong interest in the island’s wedding and romance offerings — with some booking honeymoon trips on the spot.
Pictured: Yanique Thomas, Wedding Manager, Princess Hotels and Resorts, Canadian award-winning recording artist, Jully Black, Marcus Valentine and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Jamaica Tourist Board Canada. (Photo Credit: Jamaica Tourist Board)
“Our island is a destination synonymous with romance, with couples from around the world travelling for weddings, honeymoons, elopements, proposals and romantic getaways,” says Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Jamaica Tourist Board Canada.
“It’s a place where visitors can reignite their passion while making memories together, from young lovers to old flames,” she added.
Bennett credits Jamaica’s wide array of world-class hotels, exciting excursions, luxury spas and beautiful landscapes for its longstanding reputation as a luxury romance destination.
In addition to all-inclusive resort properties, Jamaica is home to private villas and unique event venues for bespoke personalized wedding ceremonies and receptions. Couples can take advantage of a network of experienced wedding planners and industry suppliers, from tailors and chefs to florists and musicians.
Bennett says Jamaica’s impressive infrastructure of resources makes getting married a smooth and seamless process, even if tying the knot at the last minute. “Couples can be married within 24 hours of arrival on the island, and applying for a marriage licence is a simple process that requires minimal cost and documentation.”
Last year, Destination Jamaica saw a 25.5% year-over-year increase in total visitation and welcomed a record-breaking 4.1 million visitors. So far this year, Jamaica has hosted a record-breaking 2.4 million visitors with nearly $6 billion in gross earnings to-date – almost a 10% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.