CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA
			Jamaica–In a Family Way by Margaret Zellers
	For Jamaica, itπs all in the family. Widely acknowledged as the Caribbeanπs leader with vibrant inclusive-price resorts, tony Elegant Resorts, and a collection of personality places that group together as ≥The Innsiders Jamaica,≤ the country is returning to a niche it promoted more than 20 years ago, when it began a ≥Nannie≤ program to provide special services for vacationing families. That plan included a trained Jamaican nursemaid to care for small children for the duration of the family holiday. These days nannies can be hired, usually through the hotel services department, on an ≥as needed≤ basis, while many resorts specialize in family vacations by offering nursery attendants, day camp counselors, and teen age sports and other tournaments. \Festivals Galore For July 4th weekend, the Jamaica Tourist Board has developed a ≥Jamaica Family Festival,≤ for the Montego Bay area. The purpose is to ≥develop a dazzling array of attractions to showcase the many facilities that we offer for both adults and children,≤ according to Noel Mignott, deputy director of tourism for Jamaica. Speaking from his New York City office, Mignott added that ≥the program is especially designed for our visitors interested in meeting and interacting with Jamaicans, to learn more about our food, heritage and culture.≤ Beginning with a street fete (Jamaicaπs word for exuberant parties) along Montego Bayπs beachside Gloucester Avenue on Saturday, July 1, the pace continues with Sunday as Family Beach Day at Rosehall Beach, east of MoBay (not far from Half Moon, Coyaba, Wyndham, and the soon-to-be-opened Ritz Carlton hotels). Beach races and games, a fishing tournament for children, a sandcastle competition, and canoe races by local fishermen are some of the day-long activities, which ≥end≤ with a rollicking dance competition—Reggae, Rock πn Roll, Calypso music, etc.—that starts at 5:00 p.m. Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a country barbecue will be held at Lethe Estate, in the hills west of MoBay, where participants can enjoy rafting on the river as well as sing-alongs, scavenger hunts, bingo, plantation tours, and other events targeted to various ages. Family fun Jamaican style is what the long-weekend celebrations are all about. While the ≥Jamaica Family Festival≤ planned for July 4th weekend is intended to become the focal point for specific family-oriented activities, the country is a great vacation place for children of all ages throughout the year. The challenge comes with fitting your clients into the ≥perfect≤ property in the ≥right≤ area of this complex country. Resorts Catering To Families For example, while an unsupervised location in Negril for families with teenage children might not be a good idea, Sandalsπ Beaches Negril Resort has activities with ≥fun pals≤ for teenagers, the Kids Kamp for pre-teens, and a well-equipped nursery. Ideally placed near the village end of the long stretch of white sand beach that is Negrilπs waterside ≥promenade,≤ less than 10 minutesπ drive from Negrilπs airport, and a two-hour drive from Montego Bayπs international airport, Beaches Negril (tel. 800 726-3257) offers a deluxe room with two double beds on a seven-night plan for $4,225 and a suite, with separate bedroom and living/sleeping area, for $6,325 for seven nights, all meals and activities included. Air is extra, but can be tied in with Air Jamaica promotions for good value. Half Moon Golf & Tennis Resort (tel. 800-237-3237), one of Jamaicaπs Elegant Resorts, can be ideal for families, no matter what the age of children. Offering separate villas near the heart of the resort (the building with the welcome desk, terrace restaurant, and beachfront concessions); a community of multi-room, two story villas-with-pool in another enclave at the eastern end of the sprawling property, beyond Half Moonπs shopping center and hospital; and a choice of junior suites and other rooms in the two-story buildings that stretch along the shorefront from the resortπs hub, the variety of accommodations can answer any well-heeled familyπs needs. With pricing that includes ≥free≤ accommodations for two children under 12 years with adults on one of the resortπs meal plans, Half Moonπs ≥Summer Special≤ that starts in May is priced from $320 per day for a Junior Suite, plus meal plans from $25 p.p. for breakfast only, $70 per person for breakfast and dinner, and $90 per person for three meals daily. The best ≥deal≤ for families with active children could be the ≥Platinum Plan,≤ at $150 per person per day. It covers meals, drinks, airport transfers, golf fees, horseback riding, and other specified items. (The usual transfer fee for the 15-minute ride between MoBayπs Sangster International Airport and the resort is $22 per person.) SuperClubsπ Boscobel Resort, a two-hour drive from MoBayπs airport heading east of Ocho Rios, opened with a family focus that includes a zoo, a special area of the resort fitted especially for children, daily programs geared to specific age groups, and many other family-oriented activities. While children up through age 13 can stay in the room with parents, children 14 and older require a second room. An average seven-night vacation, with all meals, drinks, and a mind-boggling array of activities (including parasailing, boat rides, and horseback riding) tallies to $1,152.50 per person, but always ask about special promotional rates and travel agent incentives. Details about SuperClubs resorts are available through tel. (800) 859-7873; fax (305) 925-0334; website: www.SupersClubs.com. While the inclusive-price resorts are led by Sandalsπ Ultra concept and SuperClubsπ Super-Inclusive vacations, the two pace-setting companies have been joined by Couples, FDR Resorts, and dozens of others who specialize in vacations with planned activities for young people. Children 13 years and under are free at Jamaicaπs Point Village catering to families looking for affordable accommodations in the Caribbean. At the resort, age-appropriate activities are organized by special entertainment coordinators. The events include beach games, face painting, reggae dance classes, glass bottom boat rides and video games. Opening hours for the program are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Parents can enjoy activities on their own with private baby-sitting which costs about $5 per hour. Call Point Village at 877-POINTJA or visit: www.pointvillage.com. Innsiders Program For clients interested in experiencing Jamaica in a more natural, less programmed way, investigate the many personality properties featured in ≥The Innsiders Jamaica,≤ a JTB-assisted program that helps the small hotels present their key features in ways that are easy for visitors to enjoy. The Innsider plan gives travelers a 25 percent discount off entry fees to many attractions, 15 percent discount in many restaurants, an upgrade on a car rental, and an invitation to a Jamaican House Party in addition to the opportunity to participate in the ≥Meet the Jamaicans≤ program where visitors are matched with resident Jamaicans for a personalized visit. For a booklet and more details about ≥The Innsiders Jamaica,≤ contact the JTB and/or check the website: www.Insidersjamaica.com. Background information about Jamaica is available from Jamaica Tourist Board at 800-233-4582 or 212-856-9727 in New York, 312-527-1296 in Chicago, 213-384-1123 in Los Angeles, or 305-665-0557 in Miami; Fax 576-920-1288; email: jamaicatrv@aol.com; website: www.jamaicatravel.com.
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