NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Noting that the Caribbean’s reputation as a zone of peace is especially important now as war wages in sections of the Middle East, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Executive Director Dr Carey Wallace is urging local suppliers to step up their efforts to produce goods needed by the tourism sector.

“It makes sense for us to source what we need to supply our tourism experience from Jamaica so that if some shipping challenge from the Strait of Hormuz, if all these things get disrupted, we will still stand strong. We will still stand up with the products and services that people offer in Jamaica to our visitors,” he said while delivering the keynote address during TEF’s Speed Networking at James Hunter Event Centre Board Walk Village in Negril last Thursday.

There were 25 buyers and 72 suppliers at the event.

Wallace also noted that there could be even more prospects within the tourism sector after the war ceases.

“As the peace rate improves and increases it also opens up opportunities for more experiential tourism all over Jamaica, in every nook and cranny: mountain, riverside, hillside, valley, and where they are therefore spending money and all of the locals can benefit,” he said.

“So we look forward to an expansive model of tourism where locals benefit significantly more. We have that ‘local-first’ approach right here in the Ministry of Tourism,” he added.

The Speed Networking event offers a unique business-to-business opportunity for local manufacturers to supply the tourism industry. The format includes pre-scheduled 15-minute meetings between managing directors, general managers, and CEOs of local supplier companies and owners/managers of properties, restaurants, attractions, and other tourism entities.

Throughout the day a meeting platform was utilised to ensure that manufacturers are matched with buyers who are interested in the products or services they offer.