Albert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer:
State Minister for Tourism Senator Delano Seiveright is calling for Jamaican businesses to intensify their efforts to forge partnerships with their regional and international counterparts by making their presence felt at major international trade shows.
According to Seiveright, such an endeavour would enable Jamaican businesses to become successful players in the tourism linkages industry, which has the capacity to generate significant earnings while exposing our goods and services in the global marketplace.
Seiveright, who was speaking during yesterday’s launch of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run at Sandals Montego Bay, highlighted the need for collaboration to expand the nation’s reach and offerings through strategic linkages, noting the vast opportunities available for businesses that actively position themselves to meet global requirements.
“Too many of us as local businesses are not yet positioned to meet some of these basic requirements,” said Seiveright, pointing to the immense potential within the tourism sector for the consistent and competitive exchange of goods and services.
“If our local businesses are to succeed, they must do more than produce. They must engage, engage, and engage. This means showing up at the tables where decisions are being made and deals are done - from local networking events to international trade shows,” he said.
In highlighting the kind of engagements he would like to see, Seiveright heaped praise on Janet Silvera, the conceptualiser and chairperson of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run organising committee, as a person whose commanding presence and networking skills have seen her popping up at key events locally and overseas.
“Janet Silvera is just excellent at this. Whether you’re in Montego Bay, Kingston, or even Madrid, Spain, you’ll see Janet. I need to see that same energy from our business community, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises,” said Seiveright.
Seiveright, who has been a major force in Jamaica’s tourism over many years and who was recently appointed a government senator and minister of state, urged local business operators to not only participate in local networking events but also to budget and plan to attend international trade shows.
According to Seiveright, events such as IMEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States and Madrid, Spain, which attracts more than 250,000 participants, and the ITB trade show in Berlin, Germany, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, are prime examples of events that should be targeted.
“It can be a bit expensive, but with proper planning, you need to be present at these shows. I see micro, small, and large players from other countries, including the Dominican Republic, representing their businesses at these events. If you are serious about tapping into this multibillion-dollar industry, you must budget for it, make time for it, and make yourself visible,” said Seiveright.
