Sean-Pierre Webster has moved from the US, where he was the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Business Development Manager for the Midwest, to take up the role of Southern UK Business Development Officer. Here he shares some things about himself, including his date-night recommendation, favourite hotel – and his brush with royalty.
The city I love is… Montego Bay, Jamaica, because it offers the perfect mix of city life and beautiful beaches, plus it’s a great base for exploring nearby Negril and Ocho Rios with easy access from the international airport.
My favourite hotel for a weekend away is… Jamaica Inn in beautiful Ocho Rios on the north coast of Jamaica. It is set on a gorgeous cove with a laid-back luxury private feel – to me it’s the essence of home. The surrounding area is abundant with nature, close to waterfalls and rivers. A famous James Bond beach scene was filmed down the road at Laughing Waters, so if its good enough for Bond, it is good enough for me! Plus, they have a black labrador.
The restaurant I’d choose for a perfect date is… The House Boat Grill restaurant in Montego Bay. It is a stunning wooden floating restaurant moored in the Marine Park Fish Sanctuary. You can sit on the top deck surrounded by the turquoise lagoon and watch the sun hander over the stage to the moon and stars above. It is a truly special experience and very romantic. Alternatively, I’m a big fan of Ethiopian food, it has an exotic flare, bold and unique flavours and great tea.
My weakness is… food, it’s a gateway to connection, culture and it’s a novelty that’s specific to everywhere you visit.
The next place I’ll visit is… somewhere with a volcano, maybe Iceland. I was drawn to earth science and geography in High School, and I want to live those ‘NatGeo’ experiences in person!
The thing I most appreciate about myself is… my ability to ‘flex’, from high tea at Burj al Arab to mopani worms in Zimbabwe, stately rooms to capsule hotels in Japan and tents in the wilderness, partying in the streets in Jamaica or at Pier 1, boardroom to soup kitchen, jeans to suit, airplane to ‘country bus’. The goal is to try as much as possible, even if just once.
My proudest moment was… the year of my 30th, I had hit all goals, including but not limited to, achieving my travel goal of visiting 30 countries by the time I turned 30. With each new destination and experience, your perspective shifts, and in turn I became more open to the joys of the unknown.
My biggest regret… not following my gut more often, sometimes the regret of inaction is heavier than regret of action. So, dare to try and dare to be you!
I was born and raised in… wonderful Jamaica, which allowed me to appreciate bold and rich flavours, cultural harmony and how to have a good party! Truly, ‘Out of Many, One People’!
The most famous person I’ve met was… Prince Harry in 2012 during his tour to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay hosted a beach party on their private island for his final night. I was struck by how much taller he was than I had imagined, and I appreciated his interest in our culture.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a vet, I have always loved nature and animals, and I was on my way to vet school but chickened out the summer before commencement after an apprenticeship with a friend’s dad who allowed me to shadow him at his practice.
My mantra is… adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you!
The image shows Sean-Pierre with US travel agents on his last organised engagement in the States.
