| There is increased interest in Canadians travelling to | | | | Jamaica Is Cruising Into The Hearts And Souls Of |
| Jamaica, and in my opinion it's about time! I have | | | | Canadians! |
| been talking about how beautiful this lush island is | | | | In our professional opinion, we have to give most of |
| with it's scenic beauty, comfortable warm climate, | | | | the credit to many of the Cruise Lines that have |
| and incredibly white sandy beaches! I'm proud to say | | | | included Jamaica as one of their top port destinations |
| Canadian travelers are starting to see what this | | | | to visit. You see, as cruising became extremely |
| spectacular island has to offer. | | | | popular for many Canadian travellers, it gave them an |
| What Makes Jamaica Jamaica? | | | | opportunity to experience a small taste of Jamaica |
| The first thing you will notice is that Jamaican people | | | | while in port, and that was enough to capture their |
| are extremely friendly in nature, and present a real | | | | passion to see more of this irresistible Island. |
| warm welcome when you first arrive. Once you step | | | | Once in port, you have a full day to soak in the true |
| on Jamaican soil you'll hear the words echo "Irie mon", | | | | friendly Jamaican culture, its uniquely crafted cuisine, |
| which is the Jamaican phrase for "cool", or | | | | and many of it's wonderful sightseeing excursions. |
| "everything is going good"! | | | | There is no shortage of island tours, such as the |
| However, the question that may be on many | | | | famous Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, the Haunted |
| Canadians minds are, why is Jamaica now so popular | | | | Rose Hall mansion, plus the Bob Marley tour, where |
| and becoming a growing destination to visit. Is it | | | | you can visit the home of this infamous Jamaican |
| because Jamaica is the largest English speaking island | | | | born Reggae artist that has touched millions of fans' |
| in the Caribbean? Is it because there is a rumor that | | | | hearts all over the world! Plus many other daily |
| Jamaica is a Tropical Paradise with year a round | | | | excursions, including the Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica |
| warm climate, 4,400 square miles of lush island | | | | at Mystic Mountain, which is a brand new attraction. |
| surrounded by incredibly crystal clear waters, and | | | | So there is no question that once Canadian travellers |
| offers endless amounts of daily and nightly activities? | | | | had the opportunity to view and experience Jamaica |
| Canadians are realizing that Jamaica has numerous | | | | that they would truly fall in love and tell everyone |
| things to do! From some of the most exciting fishing | | | | back home about this Island Gem! |
| and scuba diving, to wind surfing and horseback | | | | Some Quick Facts When Planning To Visit Jamaica: |
| riding, plus some of the best beaches to do nothing | | | | Jamaica is currently undergoing island-wide |
| at all but relax while soaking up the warm Caribbean | | | | improvements and expansions, starting with their |
| sun! Canadians are really enjoying Jamaica's | | | | major airports. Both the Montego Bay and Kingston |
| spectacular nightly entertainment that they do so | | | | airports, which are currently under construction. |
| well. Plus the mouth-watering cuisine from many of | | | | A new cruise pier is being developed in the area of |
| their award winning restaurants and resorts have | | | | Falmouth, which is east of Montego Bay. This pier will |
| many Canadians experiencing Jamaica's delicious | | | | welcome brand new cruise ships for the summer |
| cuisine infused with their enchanting reggae sounds | | | | cruise season in 2010. The piers of Montego Bay and |
| that echo into the warm Caribbean nights. | | | | Ocho Rios are also going through improvements, such |
| The Question Still Arises, Why Are Canadians Now | | | | as air-conditioned passenger areas and custom |
| Flocking To Jamaica? | | | | facilities. |
| Several years ago Jamaica was getting nothing but | | | | There are numerous brand new resorts that are |
| bad publicity, and many rumors were spread about | | | | popping up in the country as well, increasing the |
| this Island gem being an unsafe place to vacation. | | | | number of rooms available to tourists. From the new |
| The mention of Jamaica would start stories that | | | | RIU Montego Bay to the Grand Palladium, the choices |
| seemed to really be in my opinion, extremely | | | | range from budget to ultra-luxurious accommodations. |
| exaggerated, and something we could not convince | | | | The choice resort for 2008 was the Sandals Grande |
| people that many of these rumors and stories were | | | | Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort, which is a 5-star |
| not necessarily true. | | | | couples only resort, set on 100 tropical acres of |
| But something was starting to change the minds of | | | | paradise. Jamaica has a lot to offer for families as |
| Canadians' perception of Jamaica, and we could not | | | | well, and a popular choice is the Starfish Trelawny, a |
| put our finger on it! If we were to put an educated | | | | 3 star resort offering a kids club, babysitting services, |
| guess it would have a lot to do with having more | | | | and jam-packed daily schedules of fun activities like |
| non-stop charter flights available across Canada during | | | | mini golf and scavenger hunts. |
| the winter, especially from Winnipeg. Or the fact that | | | | Jamaica is enticing us Canadians to visit this beautiful |
| many of the Canadian vacation tour companies were | | | | island, and experience the gorgeous sights while |
| providing more variety of resort packages and | | | | having the opportunity to take in a beautiful sunset |
| affordable pricing. That was not the reason though, | | | | at Rick's Cafe in Negril, shopping on the Hip Strip in |
| and we had to give much of the credit to the | | | | Montego Bay, or partying it up in Ocho Rios. The |
| Jamaican Tourist Board for travelling across Canada | | | | possibilities are endless, and are waiting for all |
| and promoting Jamaica here in Canada through | | | | Canadians to enjoy! |
| positive tourism campaigns. | | | | |