Jamaica Tourist Board hosts ‘Takeover Day’ at Hays Travel HQ

The Jamaica Tourist Board hosted a ‘Takeover Day’ at Hays Travel’s head office in Sunderland to train the agency’s staff about the destination.

Hotel partners joining the takeover included Iberostar, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, Grand Palladium and Tui.

More than 100 members of Hays Travel’s staff took part in person, from sales, social media, accounts and support teams, while more than 60 homeworkers joined the training online.

Experiences were designed to bring Jamaica to life, such a ‘Taste of Jamaica’, offering staff the chance to sample jerk chicken, rice and peas, pumpkin soup, Jamaican beverages, plantain chips and other island snacks.

There were games and competitions throughout the day with prizes including rum giveaways and free hotel stays.

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Torrance Lewis, JTB district sales manager, said: “This was an incredible opportunity to bring Jamaica into the heart of one of the UK’s most important travel retailers.

“Hays Travel is a key partner for us, and days like this allow us to ensure their teams feel truly connected to what Jamaica has to offer: its culture, warmth and world-class hospitality.

“The response from staff has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re confident that enthusiasm will translate into more Jamaican bookings for their clients.”

Andrew Pickering, Hays Travel’s partnerships manager, added: “The Jamaica Tourist Board brought the island to life for our teams in a way that truly resonates, and that kind of connection cements our relationship with Jamaica as a destination.

“The energy, culture, and product knowledge our staff have walked away with gives us a solid base for future bookings, and we look forward to sending many more clients to experience Jamaica for themselves.”

In post-event feedback, 87% said it exceeded expectations and the event scored eight out of 10 overall.

Tricia Birmingham, Hays Travel’s commercial director, said: “We are really grateful to our partners at the Jamaican Tourist Board, who put a great deal of thought and effort into ensuring the whole experience was inspirational and engaging.

“From the product workshops to the food tasting, games and prizes, the positive feedback from our people speaks for itself.”