Tourism Linkages Network Opening Doors for Local Artisans

Amid the hotels, attractions and other major tourism interests that showcased their offerings at the 36th staging of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), a group of local artisans also made its presence felt.

From handcrafted jewellery and crochet fashion to home décor and gifting solutions, eight Jamaican artisans brought their locally made products to the trade floor, gaining exposure to buyers and other players in the tourism industry.

Their participation formed part of efforts by the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), to create greater opportunities for local producers to tap into the tourism value chain as the sector expands.

Speaking with JIS News at the event, Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley, says that with Jamaica positioning for further tourism growth, local suppliers must also be prepared to meet the resulting demand.

“As we expand to Tourism 3.0, where we have [a lot] more rooms coming on stream and, therefore, we’ll have more people coming to Jamaica, the supplier side needs to be scaling up to meet the demand,” Mrs. McDonald-Riley says.

She notes that while agriculture, food and manufacturing are often highlighted in discussions about supplying the tourism industry, there is also room for local artisans, especially through the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.

“Sometimes people are coming for conferences, and they take their gifts with them. You don’t need to do that. We have a budding, upcoming market that supplies corporate gifts [and] other gifts for the MICE market as well,” Mrs. McDonald-Riley states.

She notes that the eight artisans featured at JAPEX represent only a small sample of the range of local producers and products available.

“We have eight people here… and they have a wide array of fashion, jewellery, home décor and gifting solutions. The idea is to showcase to our travel agents that they are here and there are opportunities for gifting,” Mrs. McDonald-Riley says.

She further encourages other entrepreneurs to position their businesses to benefit from opportunities emerging as the tourism sector expands.

“We want persons to get their business ready, to take advantage. Those who need infrastructure help, we’re willing to speak with you to see what it is that we can do to assist you, to put your business in a better position, to take advantage of what’s coming,” she says.

Among the entrepreneurs already seeking to capitalise on these opportunities is Dadriel Bent, co-owner of Angel Beads by A, a mother-and-daughter business that produces handcrafted gemstone bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

For Miss Bent, being on the JAPEX trade floor provided access to hoteliers and operators of hotel gift shops who could potentially carry her company’s products.

“I’m particularly excited to be here at JAPEX because when you look at a small business like me and you look on the inside, you will realise that those are way bigger entities, way bigger organisations. What it means for me is an opportunity to have a conversation specifically [with] the hoteliers and their gift shops because that is where my product would come in,” she says.

The young entrepreneur credits previous engagements facilitated by the TEF with helping to put her business in spaces where she can make potentially valuable connections.

“They’re putting me in a room to make the right linkages, to make the right networks, to have the conversation. They’ve given me the platform [and] the opportunity. It’s just now for me to go out and use my voice to start the conversation towards partnership,” Miss Bent emphasises.

Fellow exhibitor Margaret Campbell brought more than four decades of professional experience in her craft to the JAPEX trade floor.

The founder of MVC Collections learned to crochet more than 50 years ago, eventually turning her passion into a business.

She tells JIS News that she produces a variety of items, including tablecloths, cushions and runners, but is now focused primarily on clothing.

Her display at JAPEX included crocheted swimwear, dresses and blouses.

For the veteran artisan, who was wearing one of her own creations inspired by the Jamaican flag, events such as JAPEX also provide an opportunity to introduce her work to people who may not immediately associate crochet with contemporary fashion.

She previously participated in the Tourism Linkages Network’s Christmas in July initiative and says the exposure was valuable even though it did not generate significant immediate sales.

“I didn’t get a lot of sales but that was not important. It was important that people came up to me and they enjoyed looking at [my work],” she says.

JAPEX was staged from September 14 to 17 at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, marking the trade show’s return to the resort area after more than a decade.

The event attracted 423 delegates, including representatives from 86 buyer companies and 82 supplier companies.

A total of 1,394 meetings were held.