Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

The Government, the opposition Jamaica Labour Party and key players in the local tourism sector are hopeful that this year's staging of the Jamaica Product Exchange Tourism Trade Show (JAPEX) will be able to create a resurgence in business for the sector.

Japex is Jamaica's premier tourism trade show which brings local players face to face with overseas travel agents and tour operators interested in doing business with Jamaica.

This year's show, which is being held in Ocho Rios, comes against the background of four consecutive months of decline in the sector, and is seen as crucial for the recovery of the ailing industry.

Figures from the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), points to a 0.7 per cent decline in stopover arrivals for January and four per cent for February and March. Indications are that April has also suffered a decline in business.

Ready to gain

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who officially opened Japex '07 at the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios on Sunday night, said tourism and sports facilities in Jamaica have never been any better and that the country now stands ready to gain from the vast improvement in infrastructure.

Mrs. Simpson Miller is confident that Japex will continue the strong tradition of strengthening the relationship Jamaica enjoys with tour operators, travel agents and other travel partners including the travel and lifestyle media.

And President of the JHTA, Horace Peterkin, is hopeful that Japex will be able to turn around the misfortunes of the local industry.

"We are making sure this year that we really do some good business with the tour operators and we believe that based on the initial response so far we will be able to turn around the business. I am counting on that," Peterkin assured.

For his part, chairman of SuperClubs Resort, John Issa, is urging the Government to get back into the tourism marketplace and aggressively promote the island.

Speaking at a press briefing at Rooms on the Beach in Ocho Rios yesterday, Mr. Issa said, "The quickest way is for funds to be pumped into direct advertising for the island and also one or two large promotional events that will get wide publicity."

However, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Ed Bartlett, said it will require far more than Japex to put the industry back on a growth path.