OVER a million people in Canada and the United States have been listening to their favourite disc jockeys rave about Jamaica's tourism for the past four weeks, as 51 top North American radio stations broadcast live from Sandals Grande Riviera and Beaches Ocho Rios here in Jamaica.

Thirty Canadian radio stations, drawn from across the length and breadth of Canada, broadcast their prime slot morning shows, while 21 US stations beamed their programmes from the resorts during the event dubbed Canadian Winter Sizzle.

The radio remotes were part of Sandals Resorts' efforts to promote Jamaica's tourism, particularly in the Canadian market which has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years.

This follows consistent promotional trips to major cities across Canada by company executives and sales teams.

Sue Stewart, popular morning co-host of Cornwall's Variety104, gushed about the experience of broadcasting live from Sandals and Jamaica.

"It's a great experience and we had a wonderful time. The reception back home has been tremendous and the feedback excellent," she noted. "We love Jamaica and we love doing our show from Sandals and are looking forward to coming back next year."

In fact, according to Sandals, "Canadian listeners started responding immediately by booking their next vacations at Sandals and Jamaica".

"My husband and I have been listening to your show all week. We decided that we can't take the snow and cold any longer, so we booked two weeks at Sandals Grande Riviera at the end of January," read one email sent to one of the stations by a listener.

Brian Roper, general manager of Sandals Grande Riviera, the host property for Canadian Winter Sizzle, used the opportunity of being on live radio to extol not just Sandals, but Jamaica as the perfect vacation destination.

He cited the increase in the number of Canadians vacationing at Sandals Grande Riviera and the importance of the Canadian market.

The radio hosts, along with prize-winners, were taken on tours of various off-site attractions throughout Jamaica for a taste of the local culture and Jamaican hospitality.



