By Canute Lawrence

The Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica, in collaboration with The Pinnacle, Montego Bay, last Thursday hosted an elegant reception and dinner at The Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto to acknowledge and recognize media personnel, entertainers, diasporans, Jamaica influencer partners, and tour operators who have contributed significantly to the growth of Jamaica’s diverse tourism product.

The event started with the screening of the movie, Sugar Dumplin, produced by Donisha Prendergast. The short film starring Chantel Riley and Oliver Samuels, Jamaica’s King of comedy, examines the struggles of a woman who tries to reconnect with her estranged father and finds out he is experiencing dementia. At the end of the screening, there was nothing but high praises by guests who believe the flick will make a huge impact at film festivals and in cinemas across the world.

After the screening, guests gathered in the Yorkville Room for the cocktail reception. Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, of the Jamaica Tourist Board, officially welcomed the room of approximately 50 specially invited guests and gave her opening remarks. Keynote speaker, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica, shared some facts with the gathering that Jamaica saw 4.1 million visitors in 2023 which contributed significantly to Jamaica’s GDP. White further highlighted that currently, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in Jamaica creating thousands of new jobs as the tourism sector taps into new markets including Latin America.  White further revealed that many more countries have been developing their tourism product making the international market more competitive. As a result, the Jamaica Tourist Board is intentional in diversifying its tourism products in the areas of eco-tourism, sports, entertainment, and now luxurious living.

During the 4-course meal, The Pinnacle Group introduced its new product – The Pinnacle, Montego Bay, Jamaica, an exquisite residential community consisting of four 28-story towers overlooking the stunning marine reserve, lagoon, and hills that surround Montego Bay. Dominique Silvera-Chittell, Sales and Marketing Director, disclosed that The Pinnacle will set a new standard in Jamaica and the Caribbean for expanding Jamaica’s tourism product by attracting persons locally and internationally to purchase exquisite villas, apartments and penthouse suites that are comparable to the most sophisticated lifestyle in the world. Worldclass amenities range from shopping centres, restaurants, private residents club, sporting and leisure facilities, several swimming pools, inland beaches, spas, gyms, five-star concierge service, among others. Just a stone’s throw away from Sangster International Airport, The Pinnacle is nestled on Reading Peninsula.

Among some of the honorees were Jully Black, Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter and actress; Patricia Jaggernauth, social media personality; Spex Da Boss, Canada’s Reggae Ambassador; and Kardinal Offishall, Jamaican-Canadian rapper, record producer and judge on Canada’s Got Talent. Representatives of West Jet, Air Canada, Sunwing, and Air Transat were present to receive tokens of appreciation for their involvement and promotion of brand Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP, who was recently conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), recognized and sent special tokens of appreciation to Donnette Chin-Loy Chang, Toronto Metropolitan University’s recently appointed Chancellor and Pamela Appelt, a distinguished member of the Jamaican Canadian community, the first Black Canadian woman appointed to the Court of Canadian Citizenship, and who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada.

Isiaa Madden, renowned Jamaican architect who designed The Pinnacle, Montego Bay, Jamaica’s Consul-General to Toronto, Kurt Davis, and the Jamaican Canadian Association President, David Betty, were other notable guests in attendance.