Radio Stations from USA Promote Destination Jamaica

Hosts from 17 United States-based radio stations converged at the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, as part of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Radio Remote Broadcast from April 6 to 9.

These broadcasts also included trip giveaways to Sandals properties, a rigorous interview schedule, digital marketing on the stations’ websites and social media pages, and a fun trip itinerary for radio hosts to enjoy and talk about on air.

Done in partnership with Sandals Resorts, the radio remote broadcasts form part of a campaign that began on April 3 and ends on May 3, which features all the participating stations with on-air, social media and digital support promoting Jamaica as a vacation destination, and the Sandals Resorts brand.

In addition to the remote broadcasts with trip giveaways and interviews with key tourism stakeholders, each station is running on-air promotional announcements as well as website contests, landing pages and social media posting with links to Jamaica’s website.

During the Radio Remote cocktail reception hosted at Sandals Ochi Beach Club in St. Ann on Saturday (April 6), Chairman of the JTB, John Lynch, emphasised the importance and viability that radio still holds.

“Radio remains a viable industry, and each station here today has a wide range of listenership that will help to sell the destination. You all are ambassadors of Jamaica, and along with the upcoming destination experiences you will indulge in, we have no doubt that you will continue to encourage persons to choose Jamaica even after this radio remote,” Mr. Lynch said.

The Chairman also thanked Sandal Resorts for its continued partnership with the JTB and the support that it has always provided in promoting the island.

Radio stations participating in the promotion are based in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Long Island (New York), Miami, Middlesex (New Jersey), Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, St. Louis and Washington DC as well as a local Jamaica station.

Radio host on 94.7 the Drive, Mix106.5 and Hot 95.9 in the US, Corrina Delgado, who made her second sojourn to the island, said that she is enjoying her stay and underscored the importance of getting the word out that the island is safe to visit.

“I am enjoying myself, as we always do, and I think it is important to spread that message to people that Jamaica is a safe place to come and visit and it is beautiful, and to continue to cross pollinate with our audience to invite people to come to Jamaica, not only to experience the beauty but also to participate in tourism here and help to have that exchange of commerce, and I think those conversations are important to have as a global community,” she told JIS News.

“So, it is a pleasure to be able to come here and not only use our platforms to spread that message but also our digital platforms to get that visual content, so that people can actually see for themselves how absolutely stunning Jamaica is,” Ms. Delgado added.

She noted that the island is such a sought-after vacation spot that listeners jump at the opportunities presented during ticket giveaway segments, adding that while the beauty of the island will always be a lure for visitors, the real drawing card is the “beauty of the people and the hospitality”.

“The absolute joy and warmth of the Jamaican people… really invites you right in and you just feel like family when you are here, and I think that’s beautiful,” Ms. Delgado said.

Meanwhile, radio host from Jack FM in Nashville, Tennessee, Trent Pender, otherwise known as “Moose”, said that when it comes to Jamaica, one cannot come back soon enough, as it is one of the best “escapes” one can get.

He noted that during ticket-giveaway segments on the station, which are called Jack’s Big Jamaican Adventure, listeners get the opportunity to win trips to the island.

“Every time we do a trip like this, it’s the coolest thing, not only going on the trips but giving them [tickets] away. It’s the most special thing, because everyone we give them away to seems to have a story of, ‘we have never had a honeymoon’. It is always such a blessing for them to [come],” Mr. Pender said.