Rallies in tourism Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA.- After the 26th edition of the annual tourism partners Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) expressed optimism that the tourism fair will result in a major for local industry players matter.

The event this year, which took place over two days at the Convention Center Montego Bay, tourism capital of the island, attracted more than 250 delegates from suppliers and 105 delegates from buyers in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Mexico and the United Kingdom. A strong contingent of media, about 30 journalists from the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, also attended the fair this year.
Speaking at a press breakfast in the framework of the event, the Director of Tourism of Jamaica, Paul Pennicook, an update on the evolution of the island offered, which highlights the opening of the north-south stretch of road 2000 through a video. The video, developed by the Jamaica Tourist Office (JTB), highlights the impact of the new road, which plans to reduce the travel time between Kingston and North Coast at least 30 minutes.
"We have attracted major hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Palace Resorts and Melia to name a few," said Director of Tourism of Jamaica, Paul Pennicook. "The North-South recently opened highway significant development opportunities opens and makes it more accessible to Kingston from our main tourist regions. These developments not only increase tourism, but that will directly benefit local people and create new jobs work, especially for the promising next generation of tourism professionals in Jamaica, "concluded Pennicook.

With the official opening in March 2016, the North-South Highway 2000, worth US $ 700 million tranche, visitors to Jamaica have more options for their arrival. Building company China Harbour Engineering (CHEC), the controlled access highway 66 kilometers, with four to six lanes, has reduced the travel time from Kingston to the town of Ocho Rios on the north coast in about 30 minutes.

During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Tourism of Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett, reiterated his vision of transforming the tourism sector to achieve double-digit growth. "Our goal is to reposition tourism to generate higher growth rates, both in number of visitors and revenues, responding to new demographics, new patterns of consumption and largely by the points passion sector," said Minister Tourism.

Bartlett announced that the Law on vacation timeshare entered into force on 1 May 2016. The law, which will drive industry growth time in Jamaica, giving legal recognition to vacation timeshare agreements. To regulate the marketing, promotion and provision of this subsector of the presentation of a register of timeshare will be established.

Tourism Minister also announced proactive measures taken by Jamaica to take advantage of its long relationship with Cuba to boost tourist arrivals. To this end, Jamaica promote multi-marketing agreements with Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Plans are underway and expected to finalize and sign a memorandum of understanding soon. The minister also reported that negotiations have begun with China in order to make a tripartite agreement between China, Jamaica and Cuba, in order to tap into the lucrative Chinese market in a more meaningful way.