Religious Conventions, Groups in Jamaica

With more churches per square mile than any other destination in the world, Jamaica is a natural site for religious meeting groups. The island’s diverse culture, with roots that span the globe, has endowed Jamaica with a tolerant and welcoming spirit that is best defined by its motto: Out of many, one people.

Arrival on the island is easy with flights of under 90 minutes from Miami; many other gateways across North America provide frequent service. Several carriers including Air Jamaica serve Montego Bay on the north coast and the capital city of Kingston on the island’s south side. “Air Jamaica is in the process of developing a marketing planner for 2003 and beyond to focus on the religious and faith-based market,” notes Edith Seaton, Manager, Groups Department of Air Jamaica. “We have definitely seen an increase in the number of religious groups in the last few years, primarily from Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida and a small segment from New York.”

Religious groups also find that the island represents one of the Caribbean’s best bargains brought about by a favorable exchange rate as well as competitive resort pricing. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service permits companies to deduct the cost of their meetings in Jamaica equivalent to what they might claim if the convention were held in the United States.

The Jamaica Tourist Board works closely with conference planners to simplify all arrangements. Along with offering and escorting familiarization trips and supplying destination materials and videos, the agency assists with VIP airport courtesies, works as a liaison with suppliers, helps with customs duty waivers, and can also distribute RFPs to suppliers.

Specific destinations of interest to religious groups:

• Kingston
• North Coast