KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Hundreds of overseas buyers and local suppliers in the tourism sector are expected to converge at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James from September 24 to 26, for the 27th staging of Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX).

The annual event, put on by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), offers a forum for leading suppliers of the country’s tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators in a professionally organised business exchange.

In three days of prescheduled appointments, wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents will meet face-to-face with close to 200 of Jamaica’s leading tourism suppliers to conduct business negotiations, engage in discussions and tours of hotels and attractions.

Elaborating on activities for this year’s staging, Deputy Director of Tourism, Marketing and Events, Marcia McLaughlin, noted that the three-day trade show brings together the island’s hoteliers, operators of attractions, transport companies and other entities with tour operators, travel agents and international press from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Latin America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, all with the aim of negotiating, networking and closing deals.

“JAPEX is an opportunity for our tour operators, as well as our travel agents, to showcase the tourism product to our international buyers, who may not have seen the latest developments. The event will, therefore, facilitate tours to various attractions and hotels,” McLaughlin said.

JAPEX commences with the official opening and welcome reception on Sunday, September 24 at 7:00 pm. Participants will be engaged in discussions, appointment scheduling, networking and scheduled tours of hotels and attractions over the remaining days.