Jamaica One Love Affair gala. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
Jamaica’s top 50 selling travel advisors were celebrated during the One Love Affair at the all-new Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove in Green Island this past weekend.
In addition to honoring the island’s top contributors with a universal message of love and appreciation, key leaders including Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, made it clear that the destination is poised for a monumental 2025 and beyond aided by new property openings and infrastructure improvements headlined by a bypass project to drastically cut down on the time it takes visitors to reach Negril and other parts of the country’s West Coast from Montego Bay.
During Friday morning’s partner presentations, Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism, Americas, for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), thanked the dozens of Jamaica travel specialists in attendance for their contributions to the island and its people.
“We are witnessing the rebirth of a community here in Jamaica that we used to drive through and not even think twice about,” he said, referring to Princess Hotels & Resorts’ debut on the island.
Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
This year’s One Love Affair was hosted by Princess Hotels & Resorts which opened both the family-friendly Princess Grand Jamaica and the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove to travel advisors, media members and other industry figures.
For families, Princess Grand Jamaica offers 590 suites across 11 different room categories in addition to seven bars and eight restaurants, including a buffet, international cuisine and food trucks.
Among the many other highlights include the 25,000-square-foot Dream Island available to host weddings and other celebrations. Princess offers a 10 percent commission to advisors on wedding bookings.
At Princess Senses The Mangrove, guests aged 18 and up can indulge in more than 400 suites, including 14 overwater villas and dozens of swim-out suites ideally situated for gorgeous sunsets, eight bars—including an infinity pool swim-up bar with music, games and more at Euphoria—and six restaurants as well as shaded cabanas and beach loungers that are first come, first served so no reservations needed.
Guests can even upgrade their experience by way of the Platinum Club or O Club. The latter includes suites well equipped for sensual guests who have the freedom to go topless on their own designated beach.
Overwater villas at Princess Senses The Mangrove. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
While both properties will need time to garner a reputation and work out any kinks that naturally come with such a massive undertaking, the overwhelming sentiment was exceptionally positive. Claire Robinson, a Jamaican-born advisor of Maryland-based Claire Skies Travel said “wow” was the first word that came to mind.
“I now totally understand any delay that was experienced in the opening. No detail has been missed. Jamaica is prime for this level of luxury, welcome to Jamaica Princess Hotels & Resorts,” she said.
Robinson, who specializes in not only Jamaica but broader segments such as all-inclusive getaways, group travel, cruises, reunions, destination weddings and honeymoons, believes that the advisor community will undoubtedly get behind the team at Princess.
“What I admired most, the leadership team expressed their commitment not only to visitors but to their employees and the community in so many ways, we wish them well and know that they will get support from travel advisors,” she said.
With sustainability as a key theme at this year’s event, Bartlett praised the sprawling property at Thursday’s cocktail reception. “There’s no other resort that has been built with better harmony,” said Bartlett, singling out the mangroves located on the adults-only side (Princess Senses The Mangrove) where the property’s overwater villas sit.
Right now, advisors can take advantage of the One Love Affair special featuring discounts of up to 50 percent off when booked by January 10, 2025, for travel taking place now through December 23, 2025.
Advisors can also look forward to a loyalty program that will be coming soon so they can earn special rewards and perks the more they book.
The Jamaica Tourist Board team poses at the One Love Affair at Princess Grand Jamaica. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
2024 wasn’t without its challenges but the Princess opening and One Love Affair festivities have helped reinvigorate the island.
“Jamaica is not only striving but we’re thriving and growing. Spread the word far and wide because Jamaica is doing it like no one else can,” said Rose.
In addition to Princess, presenters included Couples Resorts, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Island Routes and Roast by Bresheh. The latter is a burgeoning brand of leather bags crafted in Jamaica with a unique level of personalization that advisors’ clients are certain to love.
Like the customized travel bags, the country has proven resilient.
“It’s been an interesting 2024. Jamaica has navigated a slew of issues and challenges, including Hurricane Beryl,” said Rose.
He added that many mistakenly believed the island was decimated and bookings dropped as a result. “We reached out to our partners and the recovery has been steady,” said Rose, who noted the significance of the dollars coming in. This industry represents the lifeline of our economy and our people.”
Jamaica One Love Affair at Princess Grand Jamaica. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
“To our travel agent partners, you are the architects of dreams. You’re the ones who play the role of therapist, the role of curator and creator to all clients.”
At an event dubbed One Love Affair, it wasn’t surprising to learn that the good vibes were mutual.
“The Jamaica Tourist Board sets the gold standard for how this event is hosted annually. The planning that goes into this occasion with attention to details in travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation, tours and more sends us back home with a renewed energy that destination should remain at the top of our list,” said Robinson.
The weekend culminated with a lavish gala on Saturday night in which each individual advisor was welcomed up on stage to be honored. Additionally, attendees received exciting swag bags, experienced excursions from ziplining to rafting and had the opportunity to network with fellow advisors and suppliers.
“We have love and respect for you of biblical proportions and you can take that to the bank,” Rose concluded.
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