Ben Kilbey in Jamaica

Last night witnessed the opening ceremony of 2005’s Caribbean Marketplace, this year hosted at one of the regions leading properties, Half Moon Jamaica. It is the first time the event has been hosted in Jamaica since 1980. As a shock to all the country’s Prime Minister, P. J Patterson, made a major announcement that BancoMex will provide financial funding to develop a new convention centre - placing Jamaica in league with other Caribbean destinations such as Puerto Rico.
There was an extremely jubilant air as speakers pointed towards a prosperous 2005. Hon. Patterson indicated that it is an opportunity for Caribbean destinations to come together and work in unison for the good of all involved.

“we are not competitors, we are partners - we must work together for the success of Caribbean tourism”.

This sentiment was greeted with rapturous applaud.

The P.M went on to explain that there is considerable potential for the ‘greater growth of the Caribbean’.

The JTB highlighted the fact that Jamaica would like to maintain hosting CHA Marketplace, the regions must important trade event, and that the addition of the convention centre would be a vital component in achieving this objective.
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