BRAZIL, runners-up to Uruguay at last year’s Sandals Latin American Travel Advisors Golf Tournament, are among 11 teams vying for the 10th staging, which teed off yesterday at Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club in St Mary.

Hoping to emerge winners after losing by five strokes last year, Brazil have eyes on the Latin American spot at the annual World Travel Advisors Golf Tournament set for Emerald Bay, Bahamas, joining champions from the upcoming United States and Baxter Media Canadian Sandals travel advisors’ tournaments.

One of three travel-advisers’ tournaments staged annually to promote Jamaica as a golfing destination, while giving the resort chain’s sales reps personal experiences of its properties and Jamaica’s varied attractions, the Latin American contest has a reputation of being almost a ‘friendly’, as opposed to the more avid United States and Canadian advisors’ tournaments.

“They are always the most fun-oriented group, playing music while on the course and enjoying themselves,” said former national player, Jonathan Newnham, director of golf operations, Sandals, Upton Estate.

“We do the best job we can of trying to have the travel advisers experience what we have to offer at the golf course, all the properties and our world-famous attractions as well. They can’t sell Jamaica with passion if they have not experienced it,” added Newnham.

Arlenes Garcia, director, sales and marketing, Latin America, Unique Vacations, was beaming, having returned ‘home’ for another year of golf.

“It is amazing. I am back home. I am very happy to be here to play golf and celebrating our 10th annual tournament with 11 countries representing Latin America. We are always welcomed with open arms by Jamaica and the Caribbean,” said Garcia, adding that Jamaica’s popularity as a destination for Latin American travellers has recorded annual growth.

“Jamaica is very popular especially because we have the airlift, carriers such as Copa and LatAm, starting December 1, connecting not only from Lima, Peru but also Chile and Paraguay, to bring tourists to Jamaica and the Caribbean,” Garcia pointed out.

“It is increasing, getting better every year. We encourage advisors to continue promoting Jamaica and golf. When they actually get an experience like this, a product such as Sandals and golfing at Upton, to them they feel like it is a home away from home. This is what they want to promote.,” she added.

“We want to bring groups. It’s not just that we want to bring travel advisors to play golf, we want them to go home and talk about it as well as support Sandals Foundation, the community and the environment in Jamaica.”