Experience Jamaica Campaign Offers Deep Discounts for Locals

Sixty tourism entities have signed on to participate in this year's staging of the Experience Jamaica Campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism by offering huge discounts to persons living and working in the island.

The Experience Jamaica 2012 program was officially launched on Tuesday with a Travel Trade Show at the Wyndham hotel in Kingston, which drew scores of patrons who came out to view the attractive offerings.

Addressing the function, Tourism Minister Dr. Wykeham McNeill said the Experience Jamaica Campaign is about building awareness of what Jamaica has to offer, while facilitating a reconnection with Jamaica and Jamaicans.

The minister commended the entities that have since signed on for recognizing the importance of domestic tourism and putting packages to ensure Jamaicans can benefit from the special prices.

Meanwhile, Director of Tourism John Lynch said the deep discounts being offered by tourism partners highlight just how eager the hospitality sector is to show Jamaicans a good time. Deputy British High Commissioner to Jamaica Graham Glover said the tourism product in Jamaica is one of the most diverse in the world.

A collaborative effort of the tourism ministry, JTB and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Experience Jamaica was first introduced in 2009, and uses a combination of customer education and discounts to increase local interest in and use of tourism facilities such as attractions, accommodations, transport and shopping.

Experience Jamaica also aims to accentuate the already-known position that destination Jamaica is good for Jamaicans and offers a variety of experiences that locals have not yet tested.