Hundreds of Tourism Buyers and Suppliers to meet at JAPEX

Hundreds of overseas buyers and local suppliers in the tourism sector will be meeting at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James from May 11 to 13 for the 20th staging of Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX).
The annual event, put on by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), offers the ideal forum for leading suppliers of the Jamaica tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators in a professionally-organised business exchange.
Over the three days, participants will be engaged in discussions; appointment scheduling; networking and scheduled tours of hotels and attractions.
President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Wayne Cummings, told JIS News that the three-day affair is a marketing opportunity for the hospitality industry in Jamaica, and brings in major travel partners to come and meet with the hotels and attractions to do contracts, site inspections and generally have a mix of business and social events.
Approximately 72 buyer delegates and 128 suppliers have confirmed to participate with strong representation from main markets such as United States, Canada and United Kingdom.
“JAPEX is one more opportunity for us to say who we are, why we are here and what it is that we are doing,” Mr. Cummings stated, noting that the event affords suppliers the medium to interact with the travel community and “get a sense of what the rest of the year will look like going into the summer and other seasons.”
“There are trade shows held across the world but because this one is uniquely Jamaican, it means that focus will be placed on the Jamaican product with buyers, who are looking to make the best deals to sell Jamaican products. They are coming here to look at the new products, the refurbished products and what Jamaica has going for it,” the JHTA President highlighted.
JAPEX is Jamaica’s premier tourism trade show, and is supported by every Jamaican organisation involved in the development, promotion and sale of the island’s tourism product.