JTB Presents Awards for Caribbean Marketing

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), in association with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), has presented awards to Jacqueline Johnson and Joe Yogerst, for their efforts to market the Caribbean as a premier travel destination.
Miss Johnson is a seasoned veteran of the travel industry with 20 years experience working in advertising, marketing, media, consumer and trade publications, while Mr. Yogerst is a travel writer. The awards were presented at the Caribbean Tourism Development Company’s annual Caribbean marketing workshop and awards luncheon, held yesterday (June 13), at the New York Marriott Marquis as part of Caribbean Week 2007 in New York.
The ‘Marcia Vickery-Wallace’ and ‘Marcella Martinez’ awards recognize significant achievements in sharing the Caribbean experience with the world. Established in 2004, the Marcella Martinez Award is presented annually for unparalleled achievement in the design and implementation of successful programmes to strengthen and support Caribbean tourism. The award is in memory of Miss Martinez, who dedicated her extraordinary career as a public relations professional to the promotion of tourism in the Caribbean region.
Minister of Tourism, Entertainment & Culture, Aloun Ndombet Assamba, presented the Marcella Martinez Award to Miss Johnson, President of Jacqueline Johnson & Associates. “This award is most deservingly presented to Jacqueline, who has devoted most of her career to promoting the Caribbean and its people,” the Minister said. Miss Johnson also represents Conde Nast Bridal Media, which include Brides, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, Destination Weddings, Brides Local Media, Brides Reception, Brides.com and Modernbride.com.
The President grew up in Jamaica and currently resides in Connecticut with her husband and family. The Marcia Vickery-Wallace Award was established in 1987 as a tribute to Mrs. Vickery-Wallace, former editor of Brides Magazine. Each year, the JTB, in conjunction with the CTO, dedicates an award in her memory, to a journalist who has followed in her footsteps with the same dedication in promoting the Caribbean region.
Director of Tourism, Basil Smith presented the Marcia Vickery-Wallace Award to Mr. Yogerst, for the passion with which he has written about the culture of the Caribbean.
“Mr. Yogerst has visited and covered high profile events in countries all over the world, but his focus and love has always been with the Caribbean. He has travelled to and written on just about every island in the Caribbean, and truly understands and cherishes the culture and the people,” he said. Caribbean Tourism Week, which began on Saturday, June 9 and closes on Friday, June 15, aims to promote, advance and enhance the regional tourism product to a worldwide market through a series of meetings, workshops and cultural events.