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JMA/JEA Expo 2010 generates interest, pulls crowds, paves way for resurgence for the capital The National Arena was decked up to the occasion, colourful festoons, companies showcasing their wares, crowds milling, enjoying the ambience and the samplers, in all it was one great show. The Expo, which is the first major event to be organized after the state of emergency was imposed in Kingston last month, brought the best of the city. “There were some misgivings from overseas buyers when the state of emergency was imposed,” said Berletta Helon Forrester, export promotion manager at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO). “But we assured them that Jamaica was open for business and safe and that we decided to proceed with the Expo was a reassurance.” Helon Forrester informed that there were twenty cancellations, out of the initial 184 buyers that had registered, but through their (JAMPRO’s) aggressive marketing the number of buyers who registered went to 309. “We targeted our traditional ...

Published 9 June, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The effects of the gun battles that ensued in downtown Kingston last month are still ricocheting in the hospitality sector of the city as it picks up the pace and moves ahead to recover from the scars that the chain of events has left on the city. From drop-in arrivals to cancellation of room bookings, Kingston's hotels are feeling the heat. But resilience and planning are the key to getting back on the track. "The Kingston area hotels were affected negatively by the events in downtown Kingston and saw drop-off in arrivals as well as cancellations," confirmed Nicola Madden-Greig, chairman, Kingston chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and group director of marketing and sales, The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites. "It is important to note, however, that all area hotels were at 100 per cent operational capacity throughout the events and was not affected in any wa...