Jamaica Love Tour 2024

“There is something magical that happens when a company has roots where they stay and do business.” – Desiree

Earlier this month, Sandals Resorts hosted more than 1,000 travel advisors and industry representatives for the 2024 Jamaica Love Tour.

The weeklong event aimed to bring together influential minds and passionate individuals to widen the conversation of Jamaican beauty and tourism. Attendees participated in a robust itinerary, from resort and island tours to executive speakers, networking events and even a volunteer session with the philanthropic Sandals Foundation.

Rebounding from a global pandemic and misrepresented safety concerns, Jamaica’s #1 economic activity of tourism is front and center – not only with travel advisors, but with hospitality executives, locals and government officials.

While it’s true that agents explored beauty and luxury within resort grounds, the summit’s intentions were clear: Jamaica is back and better than ever.

Candice, Desiree and Jessica of Magical Vacations Travel all made the trip to the Caribbean, and came back with entirely new perspectives.

Our agents arrived in Ocho Rios for a week of immersive events across the island nation. Even from the welcome reception, they could feel the energy and passion of the resort’s employees would weave throughout the week.

Jessica, Candice and Desiree all took part in the resort tours – exploring Beaches Ocho Rios, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Beaches Negril, Sandals South Coast and Sandals Negril. Even though all three are well-versed in the luxurious tropical destinations, the intimate look at each property helped to better understand which resort would be the best fit for different types of guests.

“Now having the opportunity to have stepped foot on 15 Sandals and Beaches properties – including all nine in Jamaica – has really helped me as an agent to better serve my clients,” Candice said. “It has given me great confidence in knowing that my expertise in the resorts will give my clients the best possible experience while they’re on vacation!”

Of course, it’s easy to fall in love with the beauty of Jamaica when viewed from its all-inclusive resorts. Jamaica Love attendees dove deeper when they stepped off property to participate in a volunteer event with the Sandals Foundation.

Desiree, Jess and Candice spent a morning of their trip reading and coloring with students at a local elementary school. The group interacted with the children, sharing laughs and donating school supplies to help fortify their daily experiences.

Together with the Sandals Foundation, travel advisors took part in volunteer activities, including visiting local elementary schools and donating supplies.

Jamaica Love was already so much more than an industry perk and networking event. That sentiment really hit home when the group came together at the Montego Bay Convention Center for the Jamaica Marketplace and Product Showcase Experience.

Speakers from the Jamaican government, tourism associations and Sandals Executive Leadership took to the stage to thank the travel advisors for the imperative role they play in the Jamaican economy, and to highlight the leaps that have been made to bring Jamaica back to the forefront of Caribbean tourism.

They reinforced the renewed commitment to safety across the country, to advocacy, and overall growth. The determination to make Jamaica even more accessible was evident by the announcement of a new international airport coming to Negril, new terminals at Montego Bay, and hearty improvements to local infrastructure.

Speakers at the main showcase shared their passion for Jamaica, highlighting the importance of travel advisors to the overall Jamaican economy and how every tourist dollar spent helps far beyond the hotels.

Speakers had such passion for the people of Jamaica. They emphasized how important the industry is for all who call Jamaica home, and how the impact of every dollar brought in by tourism goes beyond the hotels, and into the hands of employees and families who fortify the industry in return.

“It’s almost hard to believe the ripple effect that your vacation dollars have in this country,” said Desiree. “From the resort staff to the transportation drivers, to the tour and excursion operators, to the artisans and small business owners, the impact is felt quickly and at every level. Not only was I told this again and again during my time in Jamaica, but I got to witness it for myself. Life-changing.”

Candice, Jessica and Desiree all came home reinvigorated from their Jamaica Love experience. Yes, the beachside leisure time was wonderful, but seeing a tourist destination from an entirely new perspective is not an opportunity that everyone gets.

“For me, I think the most impactful event was at the main conference day, seeing all the Sandals employees who were in attendance who were genuinely enthusiastic about their company and the opportunities they’ve been given through working there,” said Jess. “It really put into perspective how much of an impact it has on the people of Jamaica every time we book a trip there.”

The others mimicked this sentiment, sharing how employees were so enthusiastic about their company, even during down time and group meals. They were grateful for the opportunity to share their experiences and culture, far beyond the walls of the resorts.

“I’ve been shown this week that there is a huge difference in taking a break from reality, and traveling somewhere that feeds your soul and connects you so deeply to the world around you,” Desiree said. “Traveling to a place so special that you’re reminded at the end of the day, even though we all come from vastly different places, we are all the same.”