TALKING POINTS BY MINISTER OF TOURISM, HON. EDMUND BARTLETT AT THE TOURISM LINKAGES SPEED NETWORKING EVENT HILTON ROSE HALL HOTEL & SPA, MONTEGO BAY MARCH 29, 2017

Salutations:    

-         Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and other officials from the ministry and its agencies

-         Mr. Adam Stewart, Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council and other council members

-         Mr. Omar Robinson, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association

-         Chairmen and members of the Linkages Networks and Technical Working Groups

-         Members of the Media, ladies & gentlemen…

Good morning all.

·        It truly is a pleasure being here this morning to share in a significant activity which has become a calendar event that players in the tourism sector and associated industries look forward to. I have no doubt that like previous Speed Networking events, this one will also be very successful.

·        I must commend the Tourism Linkages Network for the effort that they continue to put into organizing the Speed Networking Event, and our partners: the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA); the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA); the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and other entities, for their unwavering support in hosting it.

·        For those of you participating for the first time, the primary objective of this Speed Networking Event is to strengthen linkages and increase business between local suppliers and players in the tourism sector.

·        In this fast-paced world, time is of the essence and business decisions have to be made within a tick of the clock.  It’s all happening now, not tomorrow so we all have to think on our feet with the assurance that we are making the right decisions and locking in the best choices.

·        The fifteen-minutes that you will have for each appointment must be engaging and focused. Buyers are here to make purchases and suppliers want to sell. Some of you will be seeing each other face to face for the first time and you have an opportunity to forge a partnership that will be of mutual benefit.

·        More importantly though, is that buyers get the opportunity of tapping into the wide range of locally produced goods and services, which can enhance the quality of service offered in the tourism sector. That is critical to the mission of the Tourism Linkages Network.

·        The outcome of the past three Speed Networking sessions have been very encouraging. Last year, for instance, some 106 representatives from 68 supplier companies and 66 buyer representatives from 46 tourism entities, respectively, attended.

·        A snapshot survey of participants in the event showed that 97 percent indicated that their intended objectives were realized and 97 percent said that strong business leads were generated from their participation.

·        I am very pleased that we have even more participants this year. With a total of 172 representatives from 98 supplier companies and 79 buyer representatives from 55 tourism entities here today I am confident that the feedback will be just as positive.

·        I must underscore that a comprehensive study will be done and demand analyzed so that everyone can have a good idea of what the industry is asking for and the size of the market for the various goods and services.

·        The size of each market will enable those who control the outflow of finances to be able to fund production activities with a clearer appreciation for the production and demand equation of tourism.

·        Alongside the creation of culinary offerings and cultural festivals, we anticipate the Gastronomy Network in particular, to play a vital role in the consumption of more local foods resulting in a continued lowering of the national food import bill.

·        Through the Tourism Linkages Network, local suppliers of goods and services have been opening the eyes of purchasers and the wider public to an amazing variety of services and fine quality products that are available right here.

·        So the study will also allow the farmers to understand the demand for the goods they produce. The same goes for the manufacturers and agro processors.

·        A similar survey was first done in 2010 and informed the decision to undertake the Linkages Initiative.

·        It’s now time to take it to the next level by generating data that can inform decisions on the way forward as we seek to change the consumption and production patterns in tourism.

·        At the same time, we will be tackling the problem of leakage of foreign exchange in the tourism sector. Those who argue that the tourism dollar is now down to 20-25 cents need to recognize that the other 75 cents go into buying all the foreign goods and services that support the industry.

·        The only way to plug that leak is for our manufacturers, our farmers, our restaurateurs, attraction operators to maintain the highest standards at competitive prices that will compel decision makers in the tourism sector to choose local goods and services over imports. The Tourism Linkages Network is leading that charge.

·        Several initiatives have been undertaken to address this problem. Prime among them is the development of a Manufacturers’ Directory which was spearheaded by the Manufacturing Technical Working Group of the Linkages Network.

·        The Directory enables persons to easily access the full list of local suppliers of various products such as high quality furniture, uniforms and beds to name a few. I am pleased to announce that the directory is now complete and can be accessed online by potential purchasers and investors from anywhere in the world.

·        Ladies and Gentlemen the large turnout here today is indicative of your commitment to the development of a truly vibrant and sustainable tourism sector which is growing at an even faster pace than we had projected.

·        We are well on our way to achieving growth targets in rooms, visitor arrivals and foreign exchange earnings ahead of the five-year target we have set. So, as you meet around the negotiating table to place orders, discuss contracts, and prices as well as other areas of interest with the producers and suppliers of a range of critical products and services used by the tourism industry, remember that you are planning for an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.

·        So, thanks once again to the organizing team and to you the suppliers and buyers for what I am sure will be another fruitful event and an example of what true public, private sector partnership can achieve.

·        The real test of true partnership will also be seen later this year when we will have a golden opportunity of showcasing what Jamaica has to offer in all areas to major stakeholders in hospitality, finance and related sectors.

·        Jamaica will be hosting the biggest conference ever held in tourism in the Americas with representatives of some 150 countries set to participate in the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Global Conference on Sustainable Tourism from November 27 to 29.

·        We will be having Ministers of Tourism from all over the world, as well as companies from across the globe that are involved in tourism.

·        We must ensure that when they come they feel welcomed by the warmth of real Jamaican hospitality and that while here they understand why the spirit of the Jamaican people has 42 percent of our visitors coming back year after year.

·        A lot of work has gone into preparations for today and there’s every reason to believe that the outcome will justify the input of all parties involved. So thank you all once more and have a very productive day.

Thank you.