#Kingston, July 16, 2019 – Jamaica – Some 120 local producers of authentic Jamaican gift and souvenir items will showcase their products and network with corporate entities and various industry players at the fifth staging of ‘Christmas in July’.
The
event, hosted by the Tourism Linkages Network and its partners, is slated for
July 18 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. Activities will get under way at 9:00 a.m. with an opening
ceremony, and the exhibition floor will open to the public at 1:00 p.m.
On
display will be traditional souvenir items of all kinds; corporate, home and
decorative accessories; desktop solutions; specialty foods and aromatherapy/spa
products.
Giving
details about this year’s staging, Head of the Tourism Linkages Network,
Carolyn McDonald Riley, said that the event provides opportunities for small
manufacturers to be able to supply not just corporate Jamaica but the gift
industry, with unique Jamaican items.
She
noted that the annual staging of Christmas in July provides the opportunity for
producers to showcase their offerings to corporate Jamaica, the tourism industry,
the missions and embassies.
“We
would like, especially, persons who are able to purchase in bulk to make their
order early… . We have available gift solutions to suit corporate offices,
pharmacies, gift shops, our hotel industry and our diplomatic missions,” Mrs.
McDonald Riley noted.
She
said that activities for this year’s staging include a ‘Style Jamaica Pop Up
Fashion Show’ which will feature jewellery, bags and accessories made by local
artisans.
“Also
for this staging, each buyer will get a ‘Christmas in July passport’ which will
allow them to track who they wish to order from… so buyers will not only look
at the items on display but will have information on the various producers and
items that have piqued their interest and who they would want to purchase
from,” Mrs. McDonald Riley explained.
An
online catalogue will also be available by October for persons to view products
and place orders.
Christmas in
July is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Linkages
Network and its partners, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association
(JMEA), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), and Jamaica Hotel and
Tourist Association (JHTA).
The
mission of the linkages network is to position and assist the tourism sector to
increase its demand for and consumption of goods and services that can be
competitively sourced in Jamaica.
The primary goal is to ensure that
Jamaica’s tourism sector becomes better integrated with local opportunities for
other sectors, such as entertainment, agriculture and manufacturing.
Contact: Kadian Brown
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Head of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald Riley.
Photographer: Michael Sloley