Tag: travel-tips

Club Kingston, Lounge of the Year Regional Winner Priority Pass

“Priority Pass Executives and the Club Kingston team”

In a major win for Jamaica’s tourism and aviation sectors, Club Kingston has been named “Lounge of the Year” for the Latin America & Caribbean region by Priority Pass; rising above more than 350 airport lounges across the region to earn the prestigious title.

The recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Jamaica as the country continues to strengthen and rebuild its tourism momentum following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The award not only highlights the quality of Jamaica’s hospitality product, but also reinforces global confidence in the destination and its ability to deliver world-class visitor experiences.

Priority Pass is the world’s leading airport lounge and travel experiences program, with access to more than 1,800 lounges and experiences across 725 airports in over 145 countries worldwide. Its millions of members regularly rate and review their airport experiences, generating more than 700,000 reviews and surveys annually; making the awards among the most respected and data-driven recognitions in the global travel industry.

This year, travelers from around the world spoke clearly: Club Kingston stood at the top.

“This recognition is incredibly special because it comes directly from the travelers we serve every day,” said Tanya Beckford, the CEO of VIP Attractions Limited, Club Kingston and Club Mobay. “To be recognized by global passengers in this way is a tremendous honor not only for our team, but for Jamaica. It reflects the warmth, resilience, and excellence that define our people and our tourism product.”

At the award presentation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Jeremy Dalkoff, Vice President of Partnerships at Priority Pass, praised the achievement, noting that the recognition reflects genuine traveler sentiment from across the globe.

“Club Kingston consistently delivers a standout experience for our members,” said Dalkoff. “What makes this award especially significant is that it is driven by direct feedback from travelers themselves. Earning the top spot in the Latin America and Caribbean region is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks volumes about the team’s dedication to service excellence.”

For the Club Kingston team, however, the award represents something even deeper; the opportunity to showcase Jamaica to the world through hospitality.

“Every guest who walks through our doors gets a chance to experience the spirit of Jamaica before they even board their flight,” Ms. Beckford added. “This award proves that those moments matter.”

The award arrives at a critical time for the country, as Jamaica continues efforts to drive visitor confidence, strengthen air connectivity, and enhance the overall travel experience. The recognition positions Jamaica even more strongly within the competitive Caribbean tourism market and highlights the importance of investing in quality guest experiences from arrival to departure.

Sound Advice for JA Immigrants

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Audrey Marks

The concern was palpable at Ambassador Audrey Marks’ first online ‘Let’s Connect’ meeting for the New Year. Ambassador Marks spoke on the Jamaicans who have been affected by the new US Immigration policy. Her keynote guest speaker was Finance Minister Fayval Williams whose presentation had notes of hope for those Jamaicans seeking to be repatriated.

Ambassador Marks noted that of the thousands being repatriated in the Caribbean, only .5% is Jamaican. Of the 56 who arrived in Jamaica last week, only seven had criminal records while the others had immigration offences.  Those with immigration issues, she emphasised, should not be regarded as criminals and every Jamaican will be welcomed home. She noted many Jamaicans have been calling for instructions on how to get home without being subject to deportation and they have been receiving assistance from the Embassy and Consulates.

Attorneys at Law Sekou Clarke and Xavier Francis spoke on immigration concerns. Clarke has expanded his legal services in Florida and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the ‘Top 40 Entrepreneurs to Watch’ in 2025. Xavier Francis has been running a leading immigration firm for eight years.

Clarke said there was collateral damage when undocumented immigrants are separated from their blended families. He noted that in one ICE operation, they went to a location to take an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and ‘scraped up’ others. He advised that getting married to an American citizen is not the only way to become a legal immigrant. He said the T Visa could be applied for by persons suffering from discrimination while the U Visa can be used for victims of crime who would have to furnish a police statement.

There is also the EB-5 Visa available for investors or those who have an existing business. Francis also noted that holders of the F1 Student Visa could self-sponsor themselves for Green Cards if they have awards for outstanding performance or are members of professional organizations.

Francis gave three tips to cope with the new zero tolerance position:

–          Don’t overstay your visa

–          Legal immigrants should carry a copy of their documentation on their phones as every immigrant is at risk of being taken into custody

–          Reconsider the alternative pathways that exist.

Ambassador Marks said that Jamaicans who wish to return to their country should communicate with the Embassy and via Diaspora organizations. The Jamaican Embassy website has been recently loaded with specific information on immigration matters.

Members of the Jamaican Diaspora continue to preserve our culture and want to give back to their homeland. Florida Consul Oliver Mair announced that the fourth annual celebration of Marcus Garvey would be held on February 18. Young Tiffany Haynes expressed her wish to do more for Jamaica and asked for a more intentional programme to strengthen ties.