Montego Bay, Jamaica will host the 19th annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) from 11-14 May 2009. This year’s theme is “Jamaica… It Happens Here” embodies the diversity of the island’s products, including its business offerings, abundance of attractions, energetic nightlife, rich history and culture.

(Above: Jamaica’s Minister for Tourism, Edmund Bartlett; John Lynch, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board; along with reigning Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova at ITB 2009)Hosted by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), JAPEX offers the ideal forum for leading suppliers of the Jamaica tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators from Europe and the Americas in a professionally organized business exchange.

(Pictured: Julia Morley, Executive Chairman, Miss World Organisation; Jamaica’s Minister for Tourism, Edmund Barlett and Miss World)

New Market, New Focus
A new session this year focuses on the emerging Latin American market and its role in the growth of Jamaica’s tourism.

“This year’s event will have a special focus for our Latin American trade partners,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “With the Spanish investments in our tourism product, this makes us more attractive to that market and gives us an opportunity to meet and address this emerging market while sharing success stories.
We want our local tourism partners to have direct interaction with the trade partners.”

(Above: Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova being interviewed at IB 2009 along with Minister for Tourism Jamaica)

Jamaica’s tourist industry has been undergoing a continuous process of growth and improvement, with new and expanded hotels, exciting new attractions, and enhancements from allied product and service providers. Extensive investment in major infrastructural improvements includes a new network of highways linking Jamaica’s major towns, plus expansion of both international airports and development of the cruise ship ports.

Noting that scores of indigenous properties have now completed extensive refurbishment and improvement programs, Wayne Cummings, President of JHTA said, “JAPEX will provide an ideal opportunity for attendees to see first-hand all the spectacular developments that are making Jamaica an even more desirable tourist destination.”

He added: “JAPEX delegates will also be impressed by many local brands, chains and independents in the various resorts that are helping to strengthen Jamaica’s position as a preferred destination for both leisure and business.”

In addition to the trade show, JAPEX also offers a variety of social activities, beginning with an official opening and welcome reception at the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall on Monday followed by Tuesday evening’s event, “A White Nite Island Fantasy” on Sandals Cay, the private island at Sandals Royal Caribbean.

(Left: the legendary Professor Heinz Simonitsch of Grandhotel Leinz with Miss World)

Founded in 1955, the Jamaica Tourist Board was voted Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards from 2006 to 2008, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination.

For more information on JAPEX or to register, go to www.jhta.org/japex.htm.
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