The Caribbean island nation of Jamaica is one of the top preferences for tourists from all over the world seeking luxury. Despite its distance, the destination is also attracting greater traction from Indian luxury travellers who head to Jamaica for weddings, anniversaries or just to pamper themselves with a variety of luxury experiences, be it in the air, on the land or in the water.

With a whirring sound, the blades of the rotor began moving. At first, slowly, but soon they were moving so fast that all I could see was a blur. Even though I was sitting inside the cabin and the door was shut, the noise was simply deafening.

Within a couple of minutes, we were airborne, as the helicopter took off, first with its nose down, and then as we gained more height, it levelled off and after a few more minutes we had reached our cruising altitude.

All this while, my eyes were glued to the views outside and I was relishing every moment of the first-ever helicopter ride in my life. I was in Jamaica to attend Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2023 being held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in the northern part of the Caribbean Island.

Along with a handful of Indian travel agents specialised in outbound luxury travel from India, I was fortunate enough to be the sole media person from India to be invited by Jamaica Tourist Board to attend JAPEX 2023. The invitations were part of the strategy of the tourist board to boost the number of Indian travellers to the island nation, which has traditionally been favoured by well-heeled Indians, for organising destination weddings, anniversary celebrations or simply to enjoy a cruise in the Caribbean.

With a booming economy and the sharply rising number of millionaires in India, Jamaica has fixed its sights on promoting itself as an exclusive luxury destination in India.

And how better to promote it than by giving a taste of luxury? This was one of the primary reasons why we were in the bright-red coloured helicopter that had taken off moments earlier from a helipad at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, where JAPEX 2023 was taking place.

With four of us sitting in the chopper that can take five passengers, besides the pilot, there was more than adequate space inside the Bell 407 helicopter, operated by Jamaican aviation firm Airway International, and which is the warhorse of civilian transport favoured by celebrities and CEOs alike.

As we began cruising, we were flying over what appeared to be a huge, unending green carpet below as we got a bird’s eye view of the immense green cover that Jamaica has. Indeed, until this moment, the only green related to Jamaica that I could think of was either the green in its flag or the bluish-green waters that surround this paradise.

Seeing our mystified looks, the pilot informed us about the green cover in Jamaica and how the people and the politicians all stand committed to preserving the greenery prevailing here.

Soon, the green cover below us began to give way to a spectrum as the helicopter approached the famed coastline of Jamaica, where the white sand and surf offered a sharp contrast with the hues of blue and green that the Caribbean Sea wore. Our guide also told us about the various upscale, luxury resorts that Jamaica is so well-known for and which act as magnets for tourists from North America, Europe and increasingly Asia, including India.

But more on that later. After about an hour of exploration of Jamaica by air, it was now time to begin the exploration on the ground.

Adventures at Chukka Estate

Our helicopter took us close to Chukka Eco-Adventure Outpost at Cape of Good Hope, one of the biggest and certainly the most famous plantations in the country and which is yet another key attraction for tourists seeking to have an escapade.

Sprawling over 2,000 acres of sheer greenery, on the banks of Martha Brae River, the Estate lies on the edge of Cockpit Country and visitors here can expect to be on the edge throughout their stay in this paradisiacal spot, thanks to a wide variety of adrenaline-pumping adventure activities, ranging from ziplining to white water rafting and numerous water slides. Those seeking a more relaxed approach to their stay also have the option of trying some trekking options, lazing around in the pool or even sampling some Jamaican cuisine along with the famed Jamaican rum in the restaurants and bars here.

I could have spent several days here trying out the various activities and of course repeating endlessly my preferred ones but being in the last batch of our group to have reached Chukka Estate, after the helicopter ride, I felt a tinge of envy towards those who had completed their helicopter rides earlier and had a significant amount of time to explore the many facets of adventure here.

But I had time enough only to go on a bicycle ride, through a part of the Estate. Equipped with an electric bike, with the option of pedalling manually, our group set off on the exploration of Cape of Good Hope, following our tour leader, who explained interesting bits of the history and heritage of plantations in Jamaica.

Riding on a meandering dirt track, that climbed and descended frequently, I chose to pedal manually in a feeble attempt to offset some of the excesses that I had been indulging in, thanks to the lavish hospitality of my hosts, which, to be honest, I was thoroughly enjoying. After about an hour of exploration of the site, we rushed back to join the others as it was now time to explore yet another aspect of luxury that Jamaica is well-known for.

Private excursion on a luxury yacht

From the Chukka Estate, we drove for about an hour relishing the greenery lining the route for the 45 km to Montego Bay Yacht Club. Just arriving at the club, one could feel luxury everywhere as several shiny, sleek and modern yachts and catamarans stood lined up alongside the jetty.

Our private excursion was organised by Aristokat, the leading luxury yacht and catamaran rentals company in Jamaica. With its fleet of three immaculate boats and a professionally trained and licensed crew, Aristokat offers boats for a perfect day at sea for exploration of Montego Bay and Negril.

Our boat for the exploration, the Empress Kat stood there with perfect royal dignity and glory, with its entire 16-m long white body, shining brilliantly in the afternoon sun. Its well-trained crew received us warmly aboard, with glasses of champagne and some petit fours, ensuring that we enjoyed every single moment of the cruise. To enhance the ambience of an outing in the sea, they also played Jamaican music throughout our journey.

We began our exploration with the amazingly vibrant and rich mangroves that lie a short distance from the coast. As our yacht passed it, we saw dozens of species of chirping birds that had made the mangrove their home.

After we had enjoyed the magnificent sights and sounds of our winged friends and of course clicked dozens of photos and videos, our yacht proceeded with the cruise, heading out into a tranquil Caribbean Sea that seemed especially peaceful on this bright sunny day, with a light breeze to keep us refreshed.

The drinks, the food and the music had continued non-stop ever since we had left the jetty and frequently some of the crew members added to the ambience, breaking into dances and inviting the guests, too, to join in, which many of us did, without any cajoling.

After more than 30 minutes of moving, our yacht stopped in the middle of nowhere. Here the next fun activity began for us. The crew had rapidly descended into the sea and laid out floating mat that floated on the water.

Keen to make the most of the moment, I was the first one to jump off the yacht and landed on the mat, which, to my utter surprise did not sink even with my weight. The crew then told us that mat can continue to float even if all eight of us sat on it. Moments later, this proved to be true as other members of our group followed me in the water and came to sit on the mat. And rounding off the experience, by adding elements of luxury to it, the crew began handing out beers to us.

By this time, the sun had begun to descend fairly rapidly, spreading a golden glow all over the sea and on to us and even the yacht. We took turns to click photographs and make videos of the sunset.

Holding the beer in my hand, with half my body under the water, a luxurious yacht beside me and Jamaican music playing, in an expanse of an ocean with nary another boat in sight, I turned to face the setting sun and said to myself, “This is my idea of ultimate luxury, hand delivered perfectly.”

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“Jamaica marks an exciting addition to our list of destinations, and it brims with potential, particularly for our esteemed Bespoke FIT and Luxury MICE clientele. This captivating locale boasts a diverse array of experiences sure to captivate travellers of all ages. The accommodations in Jamaica are of the highest international standard, and the infrastructure is robust and reliable. As a long-haul independent destination, we are enthusiastic about introducing Jamaica not only to our clients in India but also to our global network. Our primary focus will revolve around positioning Jamaica as an ideal extension for travellers going to the United States, as well as perfect getaway offering an entirely fresh and enchanting experience, to those who have explored the typical tourist hotspots,” Louis D’Souza, Director at Tamarind Global, a travel agency in Mumbai, who was one of the Indian tour operators who got a chance to experience the luxurious Caribbean Island.

FLAVOURS OF JAMAICA If you are there in Jamaica and don’t want to miss out on the authentic experiences of trying out the homegrown products of Jamaica, then you must definitely head to Chukka Island Village Outpost in Ocho Rios where you can sample not only some unique varieties of rum but also coffee and chocolate produced in Jamaica. This place can also be on your shopping list as you can buy a variety of local produce. Begin with a visit to the outlet of Jablum Coffee where you can taste the famed Blue Mountain Coffee, one of the most well- known and highly prized coffees. This place is a haven for all the coffee lovers who can learn a lot about how their coffee is produced. Try out the Jamaican Rum tasting experience where you can try the different varieties of limited edition Rum by Appleton Estate. Trust me you will love all that’s there. From the Appleton Estate Signature to the 8-year-old reserve and even the 12-year-old rare casks, this place is Bacchus’ paradise. Do not miss out on the chocolate tasting experience at the outlet of Pure Chocolate Jamaica. This place does not only appeal to your taste-buds but it will also give an insight into the chocolate making industry in Jamaica. Here you are received by the founder and chocologist, Wouter Tjeertes himself, who explains how his company not only produces delicious and a wide range of chocolates but also sweetens the lives of those involved in the making of it. One of the most appealing initiatives is the involvement of budding students in designing the packaging of chocolate. Head to Chukka Island Village Outpost in Ocho Rios where you can sample not only some unique varieties of rum but also coffee and chocolate produced in Jamaica