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JAPEX 2014 One of the Best Ever – Tourism Minister

By: , September 23, 2014

The Key Point:

The premier tourism trade show, JAPEX 2014, achieved almost 100 per cent increase in the number of participants over last year.
JAPEX 2014 One of the Best Ever – Tourism Minister
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (right), in conversation with Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton (left), during his tour of booths at JAPEX 2014, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on September 22. Others (from second left) are: President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Nicola Madden Greig and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Dennis Morrison.

The Facts

  • Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has described it as one of the best ever.
  • The show attracted over 105 buyers from wholesalers and tour operators from the international market; 230 travel agents and over 250 suppliers.

The Full Story

The premier tourism trade show, JAPEX 2014, achieved almost 100 per cent increase in the number of participants over last year, with Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, describing it as one of the best ever.

Ending Tuesday, September 23, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, in Rose Hall, St. James, the show attracted over 105 buyers from wholesalers and tour operators from the international market;  230 travel agents and over 250 suppliers.

“I think that this is definitely one of the best JAPEX we have had over the years,” the Minister said, after an extensive tour of the display booths on September 22.

“This year, through the linkages hub, one of the things that we have done, is to really push the involvement of our local manufacturers, farmers and all the associated (groups).  What was really interesting was that the space of the usual JAPEX was about half the hall, but this year, we have taken the entire hall space because of the inclusion of the manufacturers,” Dr. McNeill noted.

“This gives another side to the business, because the people the manufacturers want to meet are the same persons that are already here for the trade show. So, it really has been a tremendous success,” he added.

The Minister said that the feedback he has had from participants is very positive, including manufacturers, hoteliers and operators of attractions.

“They are saying that it is good business, brisk and very productive.  This is something that we will have to broaden to ensure that we not only bring visitors to the island, but seek to deepen the impact of tourism on the local economy,” the Minister argued.

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Nicola Madden Greig, said: “It’s been a great show. We have seen a little bit more diversity outside of our traditional US, Canadian and UK markets.  We are therefore very excited in terms of the prospects that will come out of this year’s show.”

She noted that for this year’s show, there were a lot of new buyers coming out of the Latin American markets.

Last Updated: September 24, 2014

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