JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD
HOSTS FIRST-EVER BLOGGERS MEET-UP IN JAMAICA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH SECRETS RESORTS & SPAS
New marketing effort signals fresh
approach to press visit,
develops authentic, long-term rapport
with influential travel bloggers
KINGSTON,
JAMAICA – July 23, 2010 –
The Jamaica Tourist Board ramped up its social media and marketing
efforts with its first-ever “Bloggers’ Meet-up in Jamaica.” Jamaica
hosted a four-night visit, from July 15-19, establishing a proactive
dialogue with influential travel bloggers who will continue to share
personal and first-hand travel experiences with their audiences.
“This is just the first of many blogger
meet-ups that the Jamaica Tourist Board will host,” said John Lynch,
Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We recognize and respect the
fast-growing blogger community and wish to actively engage them and
share information on the destination that will pique the interest of
their readers. With travelers looking to social media as an alternative
source for information, it is essential that we remain relevant in the
industry by enhancing our communication tools to reach out to and
interact with potential travelers.”
Some of the top influential U.S. based
travel and niche bloggers were invited to experience the unique
offerings of the island’s traditional tourist regions – Montego Bay,
Ocho Rios and Negril – to further remind their readers that Jamaica is
the destination for an unforgettable Caribbean getaway.
The bloggers were hosted by
Unlimited-Luxury® Secrets Resorts & Spas
in Montego Bay, the newly built 700-room, side-by-side Secrets St. James
and Secrets Wild Orchid resorts; and transportation to the various
tourist regions were provided by AMSTAR.
“Secrets Resorts & Spas is pleased to
partner with the Jamaica Tourist Board on efforts that seek to fortify
the destination’s position as one of the leading Caribbean
destinations,” said Alex Zozaya, president of AMResorts. “We recognize
the importance of social media therefore this meet-up was an opportunity
to better understand the needs of bloggers while welcoming them to
experience Jamaica’s and Secrets Resorts & Spas’ exceptional
offerings.”
During their stay in Jamaica, the
social media group was able to stay connected with their audience
courtesy of technological infrastructure put in place to facilitate
real-time tweets, blog posts and video uploads. Bloggers also
participated in a special webisode to air on Jamaica’s YouTube Channels.
The U.S. based media had an opportunity
to interact with local Jamaican bloggers and experience the thrills of
many of the island’s attractions including Dunn’s River Falls, Rick’s
Café, Margaritaville, and Chukka Cove. The group also indulged in local
cuisine at Scotchie’s – a choice spot for Jamaican jerk. Island Routes
provided a tour of Negril on their catamaran and the bloggers also
experienced Jamaican hospitality from Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril
Resort & Spa.
Additionally, in an effort to enhance the way in
which travelers receive timely information on the destination, the
Jamaica Tourist Board has launched its own blog, The Island Buzz.
The blog will feature the island’s latest news and events with fresh
content added daily. The blog aims to be an alternative resource on
Jamaica and welcomes the public to share their thoughts and opinions on
posts, articles, promotions and more. Followers of the site can link to
Facebook or re-tweet on Twitter to spread the news or encourage
discussion. The blog evolved from the Island Buzz newsletter,
which is sent monthly and has an opt-in database of 10,000 people.
www.islandbuzzjamaica.com
About
Secrets® Resorts & Spas
A
member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Unlimited-Luxury®
Secrets Resorts & Spas offer adults an extra measure of romance and
sensuality in beautiful settings where everything is included. The
award-winning resorts feature elegantly-appointed rooms and suites with
24-hour concierge and room services; multiple gourmet, a la carte
restaurants and lounges serving premium beverages; endless day and
evening activities in spectacular settings; and more. Information about
Secrets Resorts & Spas is available by calling 1-866-GO-SECRETS or
visiting
www.secretsresorts.com.
About the
Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica
Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism
agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the
Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel
Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2009, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as
the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading
Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, for the
third consecutive year.
JTB offices are located
in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative
offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and
Tokyo.
For details on upcoming
special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the
JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist
Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/jamaica, on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube at
www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb
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