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Jamaica Experiences aims to boost tourism in JA

Published:Tuesday | July 5, 2016 | 12:00 AMaims to boost tourism in JA
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Ashley Anguin
From left: PROComm's Jean Lowrie-Chin and husband, Hubie Chin, share lens time with tourism consultant, Carole Guntley and Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicooke at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
Jason and Nadine King, owners of Native Creations Gift Shop looking swell at the at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
From left: Jamaica National's Nena Peters, MBJ Airports Limited's Sitara Byfield, Rose Hall Development's Sharon Singh and Sixt Car Rental's Nadine Spence at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
From left: Attorney-at-law, Tova Hamilton, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Education, Floyd Green, Digicel's Trisha William-Singh and husband Nari of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
From left: Catherina Bennett, her mom, Angella Bennett, Janice Allen and Sharon Cunningham at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
The handsome couple: Javier Linares and Sibrena Fenton at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
Ashley Anguin
Juanita Diaz, Christopher Gordon of Nomadz and Maria Roberson
Ashley Anguin
Sister Act! Solo Jamaica's Tristan Alvarado (centre) is flanked by Anna-Kay Russell (left) of Pier One (left) and her sister Shari Russell-Edwards, Deja Resorts at the launch party for Jamaica Experiences at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.
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WESTERN BUREAU:

David Hall changed the concept of what airport lounges in the Caribbean should look like, and for his role, he was recognised with a number of awards.

Hall, an Irish man by birth, who operates VIP Attractions, is at it again, this time, he is giving access to millions of visitors who come to Jamaica or want to visit, with the launch of his Jamaica Experiences multimedia platform at the Palmyra Beach in Montego Bay last Friday night.

"David is embarking on a new venture that leverages new technology to maximum effect," was how Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, described the pioneer he calls a friend.

Jamaica Experiences is a web, mobile app, television, magazine, and newspaper product that promotes Jamaica and showcases the island's tourism offering.

Hall, who first came to Jamaica 15 years ago, has a love affair with the country. He tells the story of naming two of his three children, cool Jamaican names, Marley and Kingston.

"Tonight is another dream come true for me. Five years ago, on May 1, we opened up Club MoBay and, shortly after, Club Kingston. At the time, I thought from experience, that there was a way to enhance the travel experience at both our airports," he told the gathering.

For years, Hall said he was questioned by everyone who didn't want to come to Jamaica. "We know so many who come year after year ... but so many don't know the secrets of Jamaica," he stated.

Jamaica Experiences aims is to tell millions of people who are abroad why they need to come to Jamaica, said Hall. "We are, first and foremost, a marketing arm to get people to Jamaica by telling them all the positives we have here."

Excited about the prospects, Bartlett said the idea of Jamaica Experiences was born out of discussions with the Jamaica Tourist Board and its chairman, John Lynch, who saw the need and an opportunity in the marketplace for a multimedia platform to promote all the great things about Jamaica.

"David seized the opportunity and here we are this evening."

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com