April 2005 marks the Golden Anniversary of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Throughout the year, the JTB will celebrate 50 years of leadership in Caribbean hospitality and tourism innovations with a calendar of special events taking place worldwide.he events will also serve to officially thank Jamaica’s tourism partners and the industry for their contribution to Jamaica’s success as a leading tourist destination. In addition, the celebrations will showcase the diversity of the country, from its cuisine, natural beauty and adventure to its arts, music and range of accommodations.

“We are so glad for this opportunity to give back to our partners who have helped make us an innovator of Caribbean hospitality,” stated Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.

“Throughout 2005, we will spread the spirit that makes Jamaica so unique all across the world and we invite all our friends to join us in celebrating with the Jamaica Tourist Board.”

For the past 50 years, the JTB has been charged with a mission of marketing the island’s tourism product so that Jamaica remains the premier Caribbean tourist destination.

The JTB operates in a growingly competitive environment but has successfully positioned Jamaica as the world’s most complete, unique, diverse warm weather destination, offering vacationers so much more than sun, sand and sea.

Today’s visionaries, which include John Issa, Chris Blackwell, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Jason Henzell, Zein Issa and Kevin Hendrickson, continue to follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers of Jamaica’s Tourism - from Abe Issa and Nick Brimo to Desmond Segre and John Pringle, among many others who laid the groundwork of the island’s tourist industry.
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