Indigenous gifts being sought for ‘ Christmas in July ’
The Tourism Linkages Network is inviting persons specialising in locally manufactured hand crafted gifts, to participate in the 2016 renewal of ‘ Christmas in July ’.
Head of the Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley, told JIS News that the items being sought include those tailored for the tourism industry and corporate offices, among others.
“The tourism industry uses gifts every day. We always have to put a pen in the (hotel) rooms, (leave) different paraphernalia, or (any other item) that guests are allowed to take home,” she noted.
Mrs. McDonald-Riley said interested persons can log onto the Tourism Ministry’s website at www.mot.gov.jm to access the registration form and further details about the event. The registration deadline has been extended to June 17.
Meanwhile, Mrs. McDonald-Riley believes that last year’s staging was a tremendous success.
“Based on the satisfaction survey that was done, persons were pleased with the show, they were pleased with what we had on display and persons still continue to get orders (for gifts). It was also successful because we were able to produce a corporate gift catalogue which remains online,” she stated.
Mrs. McDonald-Riley is hoping that more local manufacturers will participate this year.
The Christmas in July corporate gift and souvenir initiative brings local manufacturers together to showcase their products to Jamaican entities and tourism participants.
Corporate gift-giving is a multi-million dollar business which includes, but is not limited to, gifts given at Christmas and conferences as well as tokens for promotional engagements.
This year’s event will be jointly staged with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).
