THE membership of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has unanimously re-elected hotelier Robin Russell for a second term as president of the association.

Also voted in for the 2023/2024 JHTA Council are Christopher Jarrett, first vice-president; Vana Taylor, second vice-president; Karen Lanigan, third vice-president; and Kyle Mais, fourth vice-president.

Russell, general manager at Deja Resorts, Montego Bay, thanked his colleagues for their vote of confidence and predicted “a bumper 2023/24 winter season for Jamaica” at the JHTA Annual General Meeting at Jewel Runaway Bay Resort on Saturday.

Pointing to “unprecedented levels of approximately 200,000 visitors to Jamaica this month”, Russell said “we are expecting in the region of 67 flights per day at the Sangster International Airport over the Christmas season and we are preparing for as smooth a travel experience as possible”.

Russell, in reporting on “the challenges and successes” of his presidency in 2022/23, praised JHTA Executive Director Camille Needham, his council and general membership for the “support which bolstered advocacy efforts for improved services for Jamaicans and guests, including at our airports”.

Noting that Jamaica has benefited from increased tourism traffic in 2023 in general, Russell said, “it has been a busy year. Airport traffic has increased tremendously and with it unfortunately, delays in processing times. But we have seen improvements in recent weeks, particularly at Sangster. With the Government’s mandating of online completion of the C5 departure forms, more input kiosks and more PICA agents, we are already seeing positive results”.

The JHTA president also reported that advances have been made which will benefit members, including discussions with the Pig Farmers Association towards more accurate assessment of needs and delivery of pork products to the industry. He also commended the EX-IM Bank of Jamaica for an increase in its loan limit and an extension of payment terms to 10 years at 4 1/2 per cent and urged members to take advantage of the plan.

For his new term Russell said he was “recommitting the JHTA to working collectively with allied agencies for the sustained development of Jamaica’s hospitality and tourism industry” for the benefit of all Jamaicans.