Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/770136
B M & T ••• July/August 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com J amaica's premiere trade event, the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), is hosted by the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association. Held from April 29, to May 1, 2016, JAPEX provided two days of pre- scheduled appointments that allowed whole- salers, tour operators and travel agents to meet face-to-face with over 200 of Jamaica's leading tourism suppliers. Complimented with informa- tive seminars and workshops that provided rele- vant tourism information, the goal was to intro- duce international buyers to the latest and great- est products and services that make Jamaica one of the Caribbean's most visited destinations. By all accounts, they succeeded. First introduced in 1990, JAPEX is present- ed by The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Extremely popular with the tourism and hospitality indus- try in Jamaica, JAPEX has been supported by every Jamaican organization involved in the development, promotion and sale of the Island's tourism product. Held in the spacious and modern Montego Bay Conference Centre, JAPEX is the largest tourism trade show in Jamaica and is designed to satisfy the needs of a very wide range of tourism buyers and suppliers. "JAPEX is the place where both buyers and suppliers are able to find exactly what they are looking for", said Nicola Madden- Greig, president of the JHTA. "We have teamed with the JTB to attract new buyers from emerging mar- kets as well as recon- nect with long estab- lished ones. Buyers connected with tourism businesses representing all sub-sectors of the industry and were delighted by the exciting variety of Jamaican products on offer." JAPEX offered the ideal platform for Jamaica's tourism stakeholders to meet, negoti- ate and learn about improvements in Jamaica's tourism product. Since JAPEX 2015, over 1900 new and refurbished rooms have been added to Jamaica's room inventory. "The Island continues to be improved with the opening of the 'Angels to Linstead' leg of Highway 2000, significantly reducing the commute time from Kingston to St. Ann", said Paul Pennicook, director of Tourism for the JTB. Throughout the years, JAPEX has proven to be a highly beneficial marketing event for tourism partners, buyers and sellers and has become a critical tool in fostering growth within Jamaica's tourism sector. The Honorable Edmund Bartlett, minister of Tourism for Jamaica stated, "I am committed to ensuring that tour- ism continues to play a crucial role in driving the econom- ic growth and devel- opment in our coun- try." With the intention of further diversifying and expanding Jamaica's tourism product, Minister Bartlett continued, "We intend to build our industry around the passion points of our visitors, thereby generating increased tourism earnings for our economy." As the benefits of JAPEX 2016, are beginning to materialize, the JHTA and JTB are already in the process of planning for a bigger and better JAPEX 2017. Industry players, buyers and sup- pliers are encouraged to plan for JAPEX 2017 and become a part of this important trade event. Providing an invaluable opportunity to learn about what Jamaica's tourist industry has to offer, JAPEX will allow you to forge lasting partner- ships, develop and expand your Jamaican portfo- lio and play a key part in building "Brand Jamaica". Black Meetings and Tourism looks forward to seeing you at JAPEX 2017. BY MATT THOMAS 13