Minister Bartlett said Speed Networking had been recording a high return rate
With tourism to the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica booming, the country’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has directed local manufacturers to position themselves to meet the growing demands of the industry for goods and services as Jamaica prepares to welcome 5 million tourists by 2025.
According to a press statement, the call has been made even as players in the industry, such as Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs), have grossed more than USD 1 billion since the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) implemented its annual Speed Networking initiative. The TEF is a public body of Jamaica Ministry of Tourism.
Edmund Bartlett
In a recent address at the 9th staging of the Speed Networking Event, delivered on his behalf by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Jennifer Griffith, Minister Bartlett expressed that the event was being hosted “at a time when Jamaica is experiencing its best ever tourism performance in terms of arrivals, inclusive of cruise passengers, stopovers and US dollar earnings.”
The statement adds that the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), and other partner organisations, such as the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), are working together to accomplish this goal.
It adds that participation has been consistent, with over 150 participants, representing tourism entities, suppliers and HR Managers, registered for this year’s event, staged recently at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Buyers ranged from small hotels to large international chains, most of which are repeat participants.
Camille Needham
Minister Bartlett said Speed Networking had been recording a high return rate. “As many as 94 pc of hotels surveyed as tourism buyers said they were satisfied with the products presented to them, while 80 pc of tourism suppliers reported receiving business leads from their participation in the Speed Networking Event,” he said.
“When we started Speed Networking we knew we were onto something because it was, from the outset, established to bring the tourist industry together with the suppliers of goods, services and products,” said Executive Director of the JHTA, Camille Needham, pointing to a significant increase in business for the sector.
“Over the years, the success of this event, and the reports we have received from those who have participated have really been heart-warming,” she added.
