By Ben KilbeyThis year’s Caribbean Marketplace, held in Jamaica from January 9 to 11, attracted the largest number of attendees ever. Over 1,500 delegates from around the world arrived at Half Moon, Montego Bay for the conference. As the largest tourism marketing trade show in the Caribbean Region, Caribbean Marketplace 2005 brought tourism industry buyers and suppliers together to conduct business and to review Jamaica’s unique tourism product.Half Moons Managing Director Richard Whitfield said of the tremendous event;

“It was a great pleasure to host our industry partners, some of whom had not been to Half Moon for a very long time, and to show them the improvements we have made to the resort in the last two years. It was especially delightful to renew old acquaintances and to treat them to the warm, friendly Jamaican hospitality.”

The World Travel Award winning property (Caribbean’s Leading Conference Hotel and Jamaica’s Leading Hotel) proved a prime venue for what Berthia Parle, President of the Caribbean Hotel Association, noted as;

“This was definitely the best Caribbean Marketplace in the last 25 years. Jamaica was totally united, with the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism making sure every single detail was taken care of. It really was hospitality at its best.”

Whitfield spoke proudly of the way in which Half Moon accommodated the event;

“Certainly for Half Moon to be able to accommodate the 42,000 square foot marquee that was the selling floor of CHA Caribbean Marketplace 2005 and to host the over 1300 buyer/supplier delegates, speaks to the range of services and facilities that we provide here at Half Moon.”

“It was truly a remarkable event and I believe Jamaica staged a fantastic show that will certainly stand out in our memories for years to come. We at Half Moon were delighted to have been a part of this historic occasion.”

It is believed that next years Marketplace will return to Puerto Rico and be hosted at the new conference centre.

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