We’re still in residence in the tourism capital of The Rock, Montego Bay, now sharing notes with Keneea Linton muse, bubbly enthusiast and Caribbean VIP director Amoi Leon-Issa. With over a decade’s experience in the hospitality industry, the destination management entrepreneur shares her approach to travel, ideas on commerce, and her penchant for custom designer wear and exotic teas.

What sip always takes you on a mental vacay?

The one thing that never fails to carry me away is tea made of a combination of loose Moroccan mint and green tea leaves; never tea bags. It reminds me of one of my favourite places, Morocco, where I had the pleasure of sitting with the Berber people in the midst of the hot desert, last summer, sipping hot Moroccan tea in their home — totally blissful. Besides that, a flute of good champagne never fails.

With bans only the latest to a laundry list of groan-inducers, is travel still worth the hassle?

Bans, new rules, long lines, they can all be rather inconvenient, I agree. But once you’re passed that and have truly set foot on new soil, you start to enjoy and explore new frontiers, new experiences and invaluable lessons. This all makes that initial hassle at the airports pale in comparison.

What’s the one packing hack you’ve perfected over time?

I always have my tiny, yet handy digital luggage scale. It is ultra-important to know the exact weight of your luggage before leaving home. You don’t want to be that traveller who has to throw something out while at the check-in desk; or worse, pay hefty overweight charges for just a few avoidable extra pounds.

Is The Rock’s economy too dependent on tourism products?

Never put too many of your eggs in the same basket, unless it is a totally indestructible basket! While we have a very solid tourism product that has spoken for itself and worked over the years, it is important to capitalise on other markets that work for us as well, such as agriculture.

The designer-muse relationship relies on what tenets for it to flourish?

I believe this relationship flourishes best when it’s a two-way street. A designer can and should be inspired by someone who brings them out of their comfort zone to delve into new areas of their artistic and creative sides where they would not normally venture, and vice versa.

How important is the human touch for one to effectively connect with an environment, especially a new one?

We are all made with the gift of intuition and can decode our environment to a certain extent. However, to truly engage with one’s environment there needs to be close interaction among people, speaking to the hearts and minds, and exchanging ideas, which ultimately make the experience truly impactful.

Which character or actor have you ever sought to channel from the movies?

Audrey Hepburn and Dorothy Dandridge top the list. Total elegance, class and talent! Lady power!

The Second City is to Kingston as (blank) is to (blank)?

As Donald is to Hillary! They are two polar opposites, each with their own distinct personalities and characteristics. You either really love these cities or you don’t.

As a consumer, what is the emotional pay-off of brand loyalty?

Brand loyalty conveys an alignment and recognition of the consumers’ values and a sense of confidence. Regardless of how small that recognition is, it makes a huge difference and can possibly mean remaining with that brand or switching to another.

Is there a place for the damsel in distress in 2017?

In this day and age, I believe every woman must be self-sufficient and strong enough to help themselves, but the fact is, sometimes we all do need a helping hand. That’s where other ladies and gentlemen come in. We all have our days.

Which emoji best reps your personality?

Oh, dear! I’ve never ever thought of emojis that way as I barely use them, with the exception of smiley face emoji which I’ve severely overuse, but ‘Dancing Lady’, ‘Unamused Face’, ‘Airplane’ and ‘Checkmark’ all rolled into one would probably sum me up!