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TORONTO, Ontario (Friday, October 1, 2021) – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) paid tribute to the life and legacy of Edith Baxter, one of Canada’s greatest publishing icons, during an inaugural memorial award luncheon, named in her honour, at the Palais Royale in Toronto, last night.
The gala event that celebrated the finalists of the memorial award, was established by the JTB in early 2021, in honour of the late founder and editor-in-chief of Baxter Publishing.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, who flew in especially for the event, presented the 2021 Edith Baxter Memorial Award to first-place winner, Donnovan Simon, President of the Jamaican Canadian Association-Alberta (JCAA).
Simon was recognized for his strong leadership skills in promoting Jamaica’s tourism sector and spotlighting Jamaican culture in Calgary, and beyond. Through his work with the JCAA, Simon has exposed Albertans to the distinct culture, music and cuisine of the island.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon launched a weekly Facebook live event, titled “What a Gwaan”, where he featured Jamaican panelists, who expose viewers to Jamaican culture and encourage travel to the island.
As the grand prize winner of the Edith Baxter Memorial Award, Simon will receive a five-night all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica courtesy of award partners Sandals Resorts and Air Canada Vacations.
Sharon J. Miller, High Commissioner of Jamaica; Lincoln Downer, Consul General of Jamaica; John Lynch, Chairman of the JTB; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; and Angella Bennett, JTB Regional Director for Canada, were among the esteemed guests in attendance.
“While she may have travelled to many places around the world throughout her impressive career, there is no doubt that Edith Baxter held a special place in her heart for Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett, during his keynote address at the award luncheon. “Under her leadership, Baxter Media played an integral role in spotlighting Destination Jamaica in the Canadian market.”
Top row from left: Dan Hamilton, District Sales Manager, JTB; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica; bottom row from left – Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism; Donnovan Simon, Edith Baxter Memorial Award winner; and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, JTB. Photo contributed.
Four additional award nominees received trophies of recognition at the luncheon: Mary Long Bishop, a long-time community activist and philanthropist; Natasha Borota, President and CEO of It Factor Ltd. and member of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation; Fiona Bowen, membership manager with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies; and Caribbean product director, Wayne Noseworthy.
Entries for the memorial award were evaluated by the 2021 judging panel, comprising: Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board; Wendy McClung, Executive Vice President, Baxter Media; and Sandra Whiting, speaker, storyteller and event host.
“Edith had a unique understanding of Jamaica and our people,” noted Chairman Lynch. “When she passed, we envisioned a commemorative award that would celebrate like-minded individuals, who shared Edith’s passion for bringing the unique, vibrant spirit of Jamaica to Canadians. I am delighted to see that vision come to life today, as we celebrate the inaugural Edith Baxter Memorial Award.”
Top row, from left: JTB Chairman John Lynch, Wendy McClung, Dan Hamilton, Director Donovan White; bottom row, from left – Wayne Noseworthy, Mary Long Bishop, Minister Bartlett, Donnovan Simon, Angella Bennett, Natasha Borota, and Fiona Bowen. Photo contributed.
The JTB, founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency, based in the capital city of Kingston; with offices located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London; and representative offices in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.
This year, the JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board, by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the thirteenth consecutive year and Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the fifteenth consecutive year, as well as the Caribbean’s Best Spa Destination and the Caribbean’s Best MICE Destination.
As well, Jamaica copped the WTA’s World’s Leading Wedding Destination, the World’s Leading Cruise Destination and the World’s Leading Family Destination. Additionally, Jamaica was awarded three gold 2020 Travvy Awards for Best Culinary Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas; Best Tourism Board Overall and Best Tourism Board, Caribbean/Bahamas.
The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the 2020 Destination of the Year for Sustainable Tourism,and, in 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World.
