Tourism Stakeholders Urged to Forge Partnerships to Expand Global Reach

Local tourism stakeholders are being encouraged to engage in networking at the global level to increase their visibility and profit margins.

The advice came from Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Senator the Hon. Delano Seiveright, during his address at the launch of the ninth staging of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run held at Sandals Montego Bay on Monday (March 24).

Mr. Seiveright noted that Jamaica’s tourism sector has outpaced local capacity in many arenas and as such, stakeholders need to expand their reach through strategic linkages.

He contended that for local businesses to succeed, they must do more than just produce, they must engage in not just local but also international events.

Mr. Seiveright pointed to events such as the IMEX (International Meeting Exhibition) which takes place annually in the United States and the FITUR (International Tourism Fair) which took place in Madrid, Spain, earlier this year as examples of events in which tourism stakeholders should participate.

“You need to be present at these shows because I see the presence of micro, small, and big players from other countries, including the Dominican Republic, properly represented at these shows. We (Jamaican businesses) need to have a presence. So, if you’re serious about tapping into this multibillion-dollar industry, budget for it, make time for it, and make yourself visible,” the State Minister advised.

He noted that there is strength in numbers as he urged micro and small businesses to collaborate to improve their visibility.

“By pooling resources and presenting a united front, especially on the global industry network, we can command greater visibility and influence,” Mr. Seiveright said.

He noted that some Jamaican businesses are already securing contracts internationally using this approach.

“Come together. If you have eight or nine businesses, you may be competitors, but sometimes it’s good to come together as a collaborative pool; pool your resources where necessary, and go for more business opportunities elsewhere,” he said.

He further urged businesses to commit to raising standards and becoming more trusted and dependable suppliers to keep partnerships with large industry players.

Acknowledging the growing presence of Spanish and Mexican investors in the tourism landscape, he highlighted the need for operators to ensure that they or their employees learn the language.

“More Jamaican companies keen on direct engagement must include some Spanish fluency somewhere in their company. It’s not a luxury; It’s now a strategic necessity. As a country, a lot more focus needs to be given to language learning and certainly learning Spanish,” the Tourism State Minister emphasised.