1200 delegates for Caribbean Travel Marketplace in MoBay

TOURISM Minister Wykeham McNeill says next week’s the Caribbean Hotel Tourism Association’s (CHTA) premier tourism marketing event, Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014, will serve as a platform to showcase Jamaica’s enhanced tourism product.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the largest and most important business-to-business marketing event for the region’s hospitality industry, will be held from January 12-14 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. More than 1,200 delegates from more than 26 countries in North America, South America and Europe are expected to attend the trade show.

“Our destination has grown considerably since the event was last held here both in terms of our hotel rooms, with the addition of new world class brands both indigenous and foreign, and also in terms of our attractions,” said Dr McNeill. “What this means is that Jamaica has so much more to offer Caribbean Travel Marketplace this time around,” he added.

The trade show matches suppliers, such as hotels, restaurants and tourist boards, with buyers, tour operators and wholesalers in pre-scheduled business appointments, where parties discuss existing contracts and develop packages and contracts for future business. This will be Jamaica’s fourth time hosting this prestigious event.

Since Jamaica last hosted the trade show in 2011, the island has seen new investment and some transition in the hotel sector.

Meanwhile, Director of Tourism John Lynch said that as Jamaica continues to press into new markets the attendance of buyer delegates at Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014 will be very beneficial to the country. He said more than 300 buyers and media representatives are expected at the event. “We have all the basics in place for a very successful winter season and this event is very important from a sales point of view,” Lynch added.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association have partnered with the CHTA to stage Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2014.

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1,200 delegates for Caribbean Travel Marketplace in MoBay

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