Jamaica’s Tourism and Foreign Ministries Partner With Sandals Resorts to Offer Jamaican Vacations to Rescued Chilean Miners

KINGSTON, JAMAICA–(Marketwire – October 15, 2010) –  Deeply touched by the courageous spirit of the rescued Chilean miners, Jamaica’s Tourism and Foreign Ministries have partnered with Sandals Resorts International to offer the miners, their rescue workers and their spouses a relaxing Jamaican vacation.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the announcement at a press conference in Montego Bay on Thursday, October 14, 2010, as he updated the media on the island’s readiness for Caribbean Marketplace to be held January 16-18, 2011, at the newly built Montego Bay Convention Center.

The Tourism Minister said, “As we celebrate the near completion of our Montego Bay Convention Center, we must pause to give thanks to God for the miraculous rescue of the Chilean miners from their 69-day ordeal trapped underground. I have the highest praises for the Chilean government, their international partners and the rescue workers involved in bringing the miners to safety. The rescue of the 33 trapped miners is an amazing survival story and a miracle which will long be remembered.”

“This must be seen as not only an international event, but also a triumph of the human spirit,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts. “It is fitting and appropriate that we in Jamaica extend a loving hand to our brothers and sisters in South America who endured such a demanding ordeal, yet emerged victorious despite all odds.”

Minister Bartlett said his ministry along with related agencies would be working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sandals Resorts to ensure the miners, rescue workers and their spouses are able to enjoy a stress-free Jamaican vacation after spending more than two months anxiously awaiting what has happily resulted in a positive outcome.

About the Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2009, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, for the third consecutive year.

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb.