Tourism Minister wooing local manufacturers and artisans to participate

Jamaica’s growing Christmas in July event is on again this year, and the organizers have set a deadline of May 26 for applications

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett is encouraging local manufacturers and artisans to participate in the annual event. This showcase, organized by the Ministry of Tourism through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), provides a valuable platform for small and medium-sized entities to display their locally made gifts and souvenir items to various market segments.

Interested individuals can conveniently access the user-friendly application form directly on the TEF website at www.tef.gov.jm. “I….urge all our talented artisans and manufacturers to register today for the Christmas in July event, where they can showcase their unique Jamaican gifts and souvenir items to a diverse range of market segments,” Bartlett declared.

Beauty and ingenuity of local products

Bartlett encouraged the organizers to continue highlighting the beauty and ingenuity of Jamaica’s local products and take the tourism industry to new heights noting that “locally produced goods play an integral role in the growth and sustainability of Jamaica’s tourism industry. Our visitors always seek unique, authentic experiences and products, and our local manufacturers and artisans have abundant talent and creativity.”

Goods may fall under desktop solutions, spa and aromatherapy, décor, clothing, fine art, jewellery, souvenirs, food, and products created from organic and natural fibres. Products submitted by potential exhibitors for the trade show will undergo evaluation, assessment and, if necessary, suggestion. 

They are selected based on design and aesthetics, labelling and tagging, pricing, product relevance, already-existing market outlets, durability, construction, packaging and accessories, functionality, cultural affinity, and product spectrum.

Christmas in July’ is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund and its partners, Jamaica Business Development Corporation, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Jamaica Promotions Corporation and Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

The event’s main goal is to enhance the consumption of locally competitively sourced goods and services while simultaneously generating jobs and the opportunity to earn foreign exchange. It also aims to build and reinforce enduring ties between tourism and other economically productive sectors such as industry, entertainment and agriculture which are closely entwined.