Dream destination

Go with what you know. The saying holds true for Kathy Parker, especially when it comes to selecting incentive travel sites. For the last 25 years, the president of Meeting Resources Inc., a company in St. Louis and Kansas City, has chosen Jamaica again and again for groups. In 2003 alone, she took four different programs there. Why the affinity?

According to Parker, it doesn't take a lot to convince her clients that Jamaica offers immense possibilities. "There are so many advantages," says Parker. "The Caribbean is always beautiful but it is always interesting to go to Jamaica because there is a true culture to experience unlike some of the other islands."

While Jamaica's beauty runs strong in the eye of this beholder, Parker seems to be more impressed with the country's continuous commitment to enhancing its offerings. "The hotels have consistently improved, especially with the addition of the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall. Hotels are also bringing up service-levels. Also, there have been vast improvements in airlift since US Airways made a commitment, " Parker says.

Anne Findley, director of operations for the Dallas-based Sunbelt Motivation and Travel Inc. shares the same sentiments. "Jamaica has been high on the list because a lot of our clients enjoy sun and sand destinations. It increases from year to year," says Findley. "When the Ritz-Carlton opened, that made a huge difference because it was a five-star incentive quality hotel with an excellent reputation. There is a comfort level there."

Findley recently took a major pharmaceutical sales force to the elegant Ritz-Carlton property. During their six-day, five-night program, the group of 200 had plenty of diversions, including golf, tennis, horseback riding and excursions to Dunns River Falls. Nights were spent sampling Montego Bay's restaurants, buying crafts from local artisans during a beach celebration and enjoying a gala dinner at the Rose Hall Great House, the famous plantation home of notorious femme fatale Annie Palmer.

"There are a lot of things to see and do. Many of my clients have a strong interest in golf, and there are several challenging courses," Findley says. "There are also plenty of options for group dine-arounds or group dinners. In Montego Bay, Margarites (and its attached nightclub) is extremely popular. I recommend Jamaica as an incentive destination. We wouldn't continue to take groups there without excellent results."



Great expectations

Positive changes are still under way. More than $8 million has been invested in refurbishing projects at the Half Moon in Montego Bay. The renovation entails a makeover of the Hibiscus wing, complete with 68 new rooms and suites, the addition of a teaching facility for the David Leadbetter Academy and more outdoor function space with the expansion of a piazza conveniently located near the resort's conference center and ballroom. Half Moon's addition of a Dolphin Lagoon last September lets guests swim with the dolphins without leaving the premises.

Ed Supply, a Nashville-based heating and cooling equipment distributor, had the opportunity to experience all of the new features at Half Moon during a four-day, five-night program last October. Parker made sure that the group of 60 took full advantage of the ample activities such as golf, catamaran sails, shopping and, of course, dolphin encounters.

"The greatest misperception about Jamaica in relation to the incentive market is that we are a destination that only caters to the leisure traveler. There is nothing further from the truth," says Paul Pennicook, director of tourism for Jamaica. "We have strong hotels, facilities and service."

Jaci Winship, vice president of Meeting Resources Inc., agrees. "Jamaica measures up very well because it has a variety of high-quality properties, with a great deal to offer including activities, interesting tours and great golf."

Additional developments are on the horizon. With more than 17,000 guest rooms ranging from five-star resorts and private villas to intimate inns and spa resorts, incentive planners have always had plenty of accommodation possibilities. Expect offerings to increase by year's end with an estimated 3,000 rooms being added.

While Montego Bay and Ocho Rios serve as primary incentive stomping grounds, the construction of the Sandals Whitehouse on the South Coast is expected to draw groups to Parker's Bay, Westmoreland, when the 360-spacious, all-inclusive property opens its doors this fall. "This first major development on the South Coast is sure to make an impact on the incentive market," Pennicook says. Sandals Whitehouse will feature six gourmet restaurants, seven full-service bars, four freshwater swimming pools, miniature golf, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a signature spa and meeting facilities, as well as a nightclub and shops.

Also, two projects, Highway 2000 and the North Coast Highway, will make it easier for visitors to travel upon completion, as it eliminates driving time between Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, Port Antonio and the South Coast.

"Jamaica has a lot more to offer than what is ordinarily assumed," Pennicook says. "Many people think we are just an all-inclusive destination. But that is not really correct. We do have great incentive facilities, as well."