Jamaica Stands to Benefit from Cricket World Cup

Carlos Martel, an Economic Advisor from Georgia in the United States, has said that Jamaica must be prepared to take advantage of the many opportunities that will emerge from the staging of Cricket World Cup 2007.
Mr. Martel, who was addressing the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Caribbean Business Club-organised ‘Linkages’ seminar yesterday (Oct. 5) in Montego Bay, pointed out that Jamaica, with its “tremendous brand recognition”, culture, and creativity, stood to benefit greatly from the event.
“You can build from your strengths. You’ve got a tremendous product; your creativity, your music, your culture is well known . you’ve got all these assets to build on, so I would encourage you to really take advantage of this opportunity. Work hard towards this, but look beyond because you have a tremendous opportunity to really go forward from there in a major way,” he stated.
Citing Atlanta’s experience in hosting the 1996 Olympic Games, Mr. Martel said: “as we planned towards the 1996 Olympics, we wondered what would happen the day after the opening ceremonies. Would prospects no longer come? Would the media attention go away and suddenly we would no longer be on anyone’s radar screen? We were amazed. There was never a slow down . we continued forward, we moved ahead, we have gotten tremendous new investments and transformed our city and our state in many ways. You have the same opportunities here in Jamaica,” he said.
He further lauded the partnership between the government and the private sector in putting the necessary infrastructure and facilities in place for the event.
The two-day seminar, which ends today at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, is the fifth of a series being held across the island, that are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of local businesses, by linking them with potential buyers in the tourism, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Executive Director of JAMPRO’s Services Division, Lisa Bell, told JIS News that one of the objectives was to highlight the opportunities that were being created as a result of the expansion in tourism.
“It is estimated that some 10,000 to 15,000 rooms will be added to the accommodation sub-sector over the next seven years, and we see that as a catalyst for economic development. It is very important that for the true benefits to be realized, that the private sector actually become engaged in ways that they can meet the requirements from these multi-nationals,” she stated.