Jamaicans Urged to Capitalise on Tourism Opportunities

Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr. Carey Wallace, is encouraging Jamaicans to seize opportunities in tourism, describing the sector as the country’s main engine of growth and a pathway to stable, gainful employment for families.

Speaking during a recent Tourism Linkages Network speed networking forum in Negril, Westmoreland, Dr. Wallace described tourism as both transformative and innovative, a force that has already uplifted households across the island and now holds even greater promise through stronger local connections and expanded supply chain opportunities.

The Executive Director emphasised that the Ministry of Tourism, through its various agencies, remains committed to ensuring that communities directly benefit from the opportunities created by the sector.

He explained that the goal is for ordinary Jamaicans to feel included in the tourism sector and to earn from it in ways that support their families, underscoring the importance of inclusive growth that reaches both rural farms and urban neighbourhoods.

Dr. Wallace urged farmers and other local stakeholders to actively engage with hotels and tour operators, noting that stronger collaboration could help reduce imports by supporting more consistent production of local goods.

Quality emerged as a central theme in Dr. Wallace’s remarks, as he argued that higher standards across locally produced items would enhance Jamaica’s appeal to visitors.

He noted that the manufacturing sector stands to gain significantly from tourism-driven demand for authentically Jamaican products – ranging from crafts and souvenirs to packaged foods – provided that quality controls and branding are strengthened throughout the supply chain.

The forum, styled as a “speed networking” event, brought together hospitality operators, suppliers, farmers, artisans, and other stakeholders for rapid, structured meetings aimed at sparking direct connections, identifying collaboration opportunities, and catalysing business deals – all within a single day.

By compressing relationship-building into an intensive format, the event sought to expand supplier and distributor networks while giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the chance to showcase their capabilities to potential buyers in Jamaica’s tourism sector.

Dr. Wallace further explained that speed networking can translate into tangible near-term opportunities for SMEs by aligning hotel and attraction procurement needs with local producers.

“We find that this approach supports diversification, job creation, and entrepreneurship by lowering barriers to entry and facilitating direct supplier relationships. As local sourcing grows, tourism spend can be retained within Jamaica, stimulating related industries such as transportation, packaging, and agribusiness, while also boosting incomes across communities,” the Executive Director stated.

He added that tourism remains a stabilising, high-potential sector capable of lifting households through broad-based participation, not only in the island’s top destinations but across regional economies.

“On our part… the reason we are here… is to continue to deepen the linkage opportunities, elevate quality standards, and promote sustainable practices that protect Jamaica’s culture and environment while expanding opportunities for local workers and producers,” Dr. Wallace said.

He also reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that communities benefit from tourism opportunities, with a focus on inclusion, local sourcing, and capacity-building for artisans, farmers, and small manufacturers.

As Jamaica positions itself to capitalise on evolving tourism trends, Dr. Wallace added that ongoing collaboration and innovation will be key drivers of durable economic growth for years to come.