“Normally you try warm up the people and then hopefully around the end of the show you got them. I didn’t have to warm up the people (of Jamaica) tonight – they’re hot …there’s no warming up in here.” – Canadian singer Celine Dion, speaking to the media after performing at the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival – The Art of Music on Friday night.

“AMP (Art of Music Productions), organizer(s) of the event, raised the bar several notches up at Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012, setting a standard they will be hard-pressed to match.” – Journalist Janet Silvera (Jamaica Gleaner)

“There is no impact on Atlantis. Kerzner International is still the management company, which is typical of most hotel groups. There aren’t going to be any changes to employment levels because of these transactions, there isn’t going to be any change in capital expenditures because of these transactions, and there won’t be any change in sales and marketing.” – George Markantonis, president and managing director, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas (Tribune)

“Chantal (Figueroa, USVI Deputy Commissioner of Tourism) is an exceptional leader whose hard work and dedication to our tourism industry is evident by the many successful destination promotions and marketing campaigns she’s led over the last several years. We are proud of her accomplishments and pleased she has been recognized by this distinguished international trade organization (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)).” – Hon. Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism, United States Virgin Islands

“Guyana is the heaven when it comes to sustainable tourism and eco-tourism, and it is very important that the heaven produces a conference that would reshape the way sustainable tourism is viewed.” – Hon. Irfaan Ali, Acting Minister of Tourism (Guyana Chronicle)

“Last year we had 49,000 tourists entering the island for the Carnival Thursday to Ash Wednesday period. This year we are expecting 60,000.” – Hon. Dr Rupert Griffith, Minister of Tourism, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad Express)

“I fête in de night, then go on de road, we nuh stoppin, ah going whole day. I fête in de night, then jump up on de road, we nuh stoppin, ah going whole day. Now everybody watch me. Izah bacchanalist! Izah bacchanalist!… I love plenty bacchanal, bacchanal, bacchanal …” – Trinidadian musician Kerwin Du Bois (2012 Carnival Release: “Bacchanalist) Listen here

“Quotable Caribbean” is compiled by Marketplace Excellence, a full-service, integrated marketing agency committed to  excellence in the fields of public relations, marketing and media coaching.