During the time when the Vice President of China officially visited Jamaica, the Ministry of Tourism and Jamaica Tourist Board hosted the first ever Chinese familiarization trip for 18 Chinese tour operators, travel media and also the Rock star Cuijian.  In an interview with JIS News, the Jamaican official news agency, Deputy Director of Tourism, David Shields, said that, "this is the first time ever in the history of our tourism, that there is an organized group of travel trade specialists coming to Jamaica from China, to look at the product, understand the product, and to meet with some of the partners here in Jamaica on a one-on-one basis, to look at business opportunities and prospects."

The Chinese delegation take a photo at  the Kingston Airport.

The Chinese delegation for the Fam trip to Jamaica was on the invitation extended by Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, to the Chinese travel trade, during his visit to China in April 2008 and again during the Beijing Olympics where he met up with Chinese tour operators to support Usain Bolt’s historical races in Beijing. The Fam trip was facilitated by the China Business Network with great efforts and supported by the Jamaica Embassy in China as well.

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica with Zilin Zhang, Miss World 2007 and top Chinese outbound tour operators prior to supporting Usain Bolts 200 meter race in Beijing.	The Chinese delegation are in a group photo with Mrs. Carrole Guntley, the Director General of Jamaica Ministry of Tourism at the Kingston Airport.

The Chinese delegation was greeted by Mrs. Carrole Guntley, the Director General of Jamaica Ministry of Tourism at the Kingston Airport. Mrs. Guntley warmly welcomed each of the delegates as soon as the Chinese group appeared from the aircraft bridge. She made an impromptu welcome speech saying “this is a historical moment to see the first group of Chinese tour operators and travel media coming to experience Jamaica. Jamaica and China has long history of friendship. We are developing our relationships on many aspects as Jamaican is getting ready to welcome the Vice President of China who will visit Jamaica within the same week. We are also removing other hurdles such as airlifting to facilitate many more Chinese visitors to Jamaica.” 

The first official visit that Chinese delegation made on arrival was to the Head Office of Jamaica Tourist Board where Mr. David Shields, the Deputy Director and relevant officers welcome the Chinese guests. Mr. Shields gave a comprehensive presentation of Jamaica online and also by showing video footage so that Chinese visitors had a visual image of the beautiful scenery and many interesting activities that were waiting them to experience. 

Mr. Shields presenting to Chinese Fam trip group at JTB’s Head Quarters in Kingston.	Chinese Tour Operators are having fun at Dun’s  River Fall.

On the first night of Chinese group’s arrival Minister Bartlett gave a welcome dinner in the historical venue of Devon House.  The welcome dinner was attended by Director General  Mrs. Carrole Guntley, Jamaica’s Ambassador to China Mr. Courtenay Rattray, previous Ambassador Mr. Wyne McCook and Mr. David Shields, deputy Director of Jamaica Tourist Board, Prof. Wolfgan Arlt, Director of China Outbound Tourism Research Institute and Dr. Adam Wu, COO of China Business Network.

Historical and beautiful Devon House	Rock Star and VIP lined up at the welcome dinner.

 

The Rock star Mr. Cuijian was very well received as the Jamaica’s music link with China for promoting Jamaica not only as a tourism destination but also a land of music, sports as well as exclusive products such as Blue Mountain Coffee.

A major highlight of the Fam trip was the China Outbound Workshop organized by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), to sensitize local tourism stakeholders about China's outbound travelers. The workshop was held at the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, one of the key tourist destinations in Jamaica, provided Chinese tour operators the opportunity to meet up with Jamaican tourism suppliers including destination management companies, hoteliers and the ground transportation providers, to identify the various nuances of the Jamaican product and see how they can grow their business to Jamaica.

The workshop was opened with a keynote speech given by Minister Bartlett. Many local media in Jamaica and also the accompanying media from China were there to report the event. Professor Wolfgang Arlt, the Founder and Director of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute; Dr. Adam Wu, the Chief Operating Officer of China Business Network gave presentation during the workshop. 

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Mr. John Lynch, the Director of Jamaica Tourist Board, Prof. Alrt and Dr. Adam Wu at the workshop.	Dr. Wu briefed the audience with marketing activities of Jamaica in China.

The media group from China consisted of the Travel Channel, Trends Travel Magazine, World Travel Online which also relayed report to CCTV.com.  The Chinese media were keen on covering various cultural, social, tourist attractions as well as business opportunities of interest to the Chinese travel trade and travelers.

The Fam trip group from China were also invited to participate the ground breaking ceremony of the new convention centre to be consructed with the help from China at Rose Hall, Montego Bay. "For Jamaica it is a significant development. For tourism stakeholders; a dream come true," Mr. Golding said during the groundbreaking ceremony at which visiting Vice President of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, who was on a 3-day official visit to Jamaica, was special guest.

Prime Minister of Jamaica the Hon. Bruce Golding, Vice President of China and Minister Bartlett spoke at the ceremony.	Vice President of China, Mr. Xi Jinping and PM of Jamaica the Hon. Bruce Golding broken the ground for the new convention centre.

At the end of the Fam trip Mr. David Shields commented “I am personally satisfied that we were able to have this event happen in Jamaica and of the reaction we have received from persons within the trade, and also pleased with your reaction to the trip.” Indeed, the common feedback from the Chinese tour operators and media was that Jamaica lived up to its tag line i.e. “once you go, you know”, we came and we are impressed.

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