/Jamaica

Jamaicans are experts in tourism, as witness the "export" of their expertise. More and more Jamaicans have branched out with hotels and resorts now based in The Bahamas and even Cuba. Foremost among these entrepreneurs are "Butch" Stewart of Sandals fame, John Issa of SuperClubs and Chris Blackwell, music mogul turned hotelier.

In Jamaica itself, most of the action is concentrated in Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Negril, the Blue Mountains with its gourmet coffee, and Montego Bay, affectionately known as Mo Bay. With such a colourful history novels by the dozens have portrayed the life and times of multi-racial Jamaicans with zest for life. One of the most famous novels is about Annie Palmer, mistress of Rose Hall and known as the plantation's "White Witch." She was the island's first mass murderer, having wasted three husbands and a number of slaves.

The island is quite large. Give it enough time to thoroughly enjoy its offerings; bamboo rafting for instance. The northwest coast resort at Montego Bay is world-famous for beaches and luxury resorts. It is a thriving port and Jamaica's largest city after the capital, Kingston.

For dining, beaches, sports, shopping and nightlife, Jamaica takes top honours as a world-class travel destination. A recent Conde-Naste Traveller article featured Jamaica as "the soul of the Caribbean.....its proud and passionate spirit...keeps the legendary luxury resort full of life all year round."