10 Jul 2014
Scotland-based media were treated to a Jamaica House preview at the exclusive launch of Jamaica House 2014 on 2 July. The Jamaica Tourist Board, in association with Barrhead Travel, held the launch at 29 Private Members Club, the venue that will play host to the Jamaica Tourist Board's VIP events during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (23 July and 3 August).
More than 30 guests were welcomed into the private members club, including co-sponsor Barrhead Travel's Chairman Bill Munro, and representatives from Virgin Atlantic and STV, also key sponsors for Jamaica House 2014. The host venue was decked out with balloons and bunting in the iconic black, gold and green Jamaican flag colours, and a steel band played throughout the afternoon, adding to the Jamaican spirit at 29.
Renowned Jamaican chef, Levi Roots hosted a cooking demonstration for the culinary team at 29 on how to 'cook Jamaican' chicken and patties.
Sir Geoff Palmer, who was acknowledged in the Queen's Honours list and knighted recently, also joined the launch line up. Sir Geoff outlined the historic links between the Games host nation and Jamaica, before moving on to give a master class on Jamaica's iconic tipple - rum, explaining the synergy and fusion between Jamaican rum and Scottish whiskey.
Elizabeth Fox, Jamaica Tourist Board's Regional Director for UK and North Europe, said: “We feel excited about the warm reception Scotland is sure to give to Jamaica's athletes during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games this summer. “This is the third Jamaica House that the JTB has hosted, and the close historical links shared between Jamaica and Scotland, make this occasion particularly poignant for us.
“Jamaica House 2014 will become Scotland's hub for all things Jamaican, so those in Glasgow for the Games should come along to 29. It will be the best place in Glasgow to support Jamaica's athletes, and visit Barrhead Travel's pop-up travel agency, where there will be some great deals on holidays to Jamaica.
“We're really looking forward to our private events on 31 July and 2 August where we will host our VIP travel partners and reward those journalists and clients who have supported Jamaica over the years to help make our island one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits to jet off to,” added Elizabeth Fox.
Jamaica has a long history of involvement in the Commonwealth Games and was in fact the host nation in 1966.
-ENDS-
CAPTION 1- (From left): Co-sponsors of Jamaica House 2014, Caroline Donaldson, Business Development Manager at Barrhead Travel, Elizabeth Fox, Regional Director, UK and N. Europe at Jamaica Tourist Board, Bill Munro, Chairman of Barrhead Travel, Lesley Temple, Communications and PR Manager at Barrhead Travel, and Torrance Lewis, District Sales Manager, pictured at the media launch of Jamaica House 2014 at 29, Glasgow.
CAPTION 2- Jamaican chef, Levi Roots, holds a Scotch bonnet pepper as he demonstrates the key to cooking Jamaican dishes at the media launch of Jamaica House 2014 at 29, Glasgow.
CAPTION 3- (From left):Professor Geoff Palmer talks to Jamaican chef, Levi Roots, at the media launch of Jamaica House 2014, Glasgow.
For more information or images please contact:
McCluskey International
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill
T: 020 8747 2170
About 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 Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2013. Also in 2013, Jamaica earned the WTA's vote for the World's Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean's Leading Destination and Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination for the seventh consecutive year. Additionally, the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port was recognised as the World's Leading Tourism Development Project while Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Port and Sangster International Airport was voted the Caribbean's Leading Airport. In Canada, Jamaica was voted the Favourite Honeymoon Destination by Travel Agents.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board 020 7225 9090. Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaicauk, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jtbuk, on Instagram at http://instagram.com/visitjamaica on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/myjamaica/or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/myjamaicajtb. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.
