Stakeholders urged to seize new opportunities in tourism

Western Bureau:

Tourism stakeholders are being urged to strengthen local supply chains and seize new opportunities within Jamaica’s expanding tourism industry, features that were highlighted at Thursday’s Tourism Linkages Network’s speed networking forum in Negril, Westmoreland.

Dr Carey Wallace, executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), said the initiative aims to ensure more Jamaican businesses benefit from the billions of dollars generated by the sector each year.

Addressing participants at the forum, Wallace noted that tourism has the potential to transform communities in the same way industries such as bauxite once did.

Reflecting on his childhood, Wallace recalled seeing signs of wealth in communities tied to thriving industries.

“In fact, as I was sitting there, I was thinking of the days when as a child, when I would drive through Mandeville with my parents and be struck by all the large houses in Mandeville and the wealth,” he said.

“You could see the opulence… . And of course everybody would just explain to me as a child that it was the bauxite industry that provided that wealth,” he said.

Wallace said the goal now is to see similar prosperity flow from tourism.

“And so when I look at Jamaica and Jamaica’s growing industry and number one industry, tourism, the vision that we have is to create that opulence, that wealth emanating, pouring out of that industry,” he said.

He further explained that local suppliers can benefit significantly if hotels source more products and services from Jamaican businesses.

“If a hotel is ordering containers of carrots per week, that farmer who is supplying those container loads will have that large house, will have that Mercedes or the Land Rover Defenders or whatever vehicle of your choice,” Wallace said.

TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT

He pointed out that tourism’s economic impact extends far beyond hotels.

“The building, the equipment, the supplies, the civil engineers, veterinarians who help to look after the dolphins, for instance, or the horses and so on, again, are part of that tourism value chain,” he said.

Wallace also urged suppliers to maintain high standards if they want to remain competitive in the industry.

“It has to be where you have lifted your standard to meet that type of expectation,” he said, noting that international hotel chains are accustomed to strict service and delivery standards.

Despite global disruptions, Wallace believes Jamaica stands to benefit from shifts in international travel patterns.

“With all the disruptions happening on our planet, and the geopolitics and so on, for a country like Jamaica in the Caribbean, which is perceived as one of the safest regions on the planet, the dislocation of travel from other parts of the world is where Jamaica stands to benefit,” he said.

Wallace added that tourism arrivals from several markets are also already increasing.

“We’re seeing increased arrivals from South America, we’re seeing increased arrivals from the UK (United Kingdom), and that will continue to benefit us. We better be prepared for it,” he said.

He also highlighted that the Government is also moving to prioritise local businesses in tourism and public procurement.

“The Ministry of Tourism has a campaign for local first, so we will be pushing as much as possible to prioritise our local producers being the ones supplying the tourism sector,” he said.

Wallace also encouraged small entrepreneurs to view themselves as future industry leaders.

“Don’t think of yourself as a small person, even if you may be small now, think of yourself as a big person in the making,” he said.

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com