The Sandals/Baxter Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament is gaining momentum, with 50% of its participants being new this year. The tournament, which just completed its 28th staging at Sandals Golf and Country Club in St Ann, is becoming a popular event in Canada’s travel industry.
Organisers were pleased with the reception of the event by attendees from various sectors of Canada’s travel industry. Previous editions of the tournament focused on travel advisers, but this year, more stakeholders were included to promote the Sandals Resort chain and Jamaica as tourism destinations.
Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Unique Vacations, mentioned that marketing the tournament is no longer a challenge as it has become a highly anticipated event in the Canadian travel industry. With no advertising this year, the tournament relied on word-of-mouth from past attendees to attract new participants.
Despite Jamaica’s rainy season, the tournament was successfully held without any major disruptions. This year’s special feature, Canadian golf entertainer Todd Keirstead, added an extra element of excitement to the event with his trick shots and entertaining performances.
Team 12, comprised of Arnold Bridgemohan, Janet Long, Cargill Gordon, and Colin Harris, emerged as the winners of the tournament. The team expressed their joy and surprise at winning, emphasizing the importance of having fun and enjoying the experience.
Looking ahead to next year, Barnes-Smith is already planning for an even better 2025 tournament. She aims to continue improving the event each year and bringing in new elements to elevate the experience for participants.
The success of the Sandals/Baxter Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament showcases Jamaica’s ability to host world-class events and attract visitors from different parts of the world. With plans to host the American Travel Industry Golf Tournament next weekend, Sandals Golf Club continues to be a premier destination for golf enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
