Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2015 Ready to Unfold
The 25th Annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2015, set to take place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from September 20-22, will place special focus on the markets of Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
A one-of-a-kind exhibition, JAPEX is the island’s premier travel trade show and serves as a forum for leading Jamaican suppliers of the island’s tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators.
At a press conference held yesterday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Nicola Madden-Greig, President of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) outlined that JAPEX “is where the business of tourism takes center stage as we give updates on the industry, negotiate contracts, rates and generally ensure that Jamaica remains the market leader among Caribbean tourism destinations.”
Madden-Greig, highlighted that in two days of pre-scheduled appointments over two hundred (200) international wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents meet face to face with Jamaica's leading tourism suppliers to conduct business negotiations. Additionally, this year will see the entrance of new tour operators from markets such as Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Columbia, Peru, Mexico and Argentina to name a few.
“JAPEX continues to play a key role in keeping Jamaica top of mind among the travel trade. It allows us to strengthen our position in an extremely competitive marketplace. The opportunity to focus on attention of the travel trade exclusively on Jamaica for several days cannot be over stated,” said Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.
Madden-Greig also announced that as a new component to JAPEX this year, the JHTA will also host another Speed Networking Event where JHTA members will be able to connect and establish links and contract with over one hundred (100) local suppliers of products and services used by the tourist industry.
Carolyn McDonald-Riley, Head – Tourism Linkages Hub stated that “in continuing the mandate of the Tourism Linkages Hub, partnering with the JHTA at JAPEX will assist in ensuring that the sectors are linked through continuous additional business.” She added that “our participation at the 2015 JAPEX is another step in the right direction for the tourism sector and Jamaica’s economy as a whole.”
