Carnival Corporation & plc, in partnership with Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, recently hosted a successful sourcing readiness forum on September 23-24, 2024, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. This event highlighted Carnival Corporation’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Jamaica and its dedication to supporting the nation’s efforts to build stronger connections within its tourism sector.
The forum brought together a diverse group of local suppliers, carefully chosen by the Tourism Linkages Network of the Tourism Enhancement Fund. These suppliers ranged from small businesses and farmers to large-scale consolidators and distributors, showcasing a wide array of products appealing to Carnival Corporation. Attendees presented items like frozen foods, agricultural goods, and authentic Jamaican culinary offerings such as sauces, seasonings, rums, chocolates, teas, and coffee. Artisanal items like handcrafted woodwork, jewelry, and candles were also showcased.
Javonté Anyabwelé, Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at Carnival Corporation, gave a comprehensive presentation on the company’s sourcing requirements. He emphasized their desire to discover uniquely and authentically Jamaican products that reflect the country’s cultural richness and enhance the guest experience. The forum began with an informative session featuring notable speakers. Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, served as Master of Ceremonies. Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals & Beaches Resorts and Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, stressed the importance of linkages for promoting inclusivity within the tourism sector. Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Government & Destination Affairs at Carnival Corporation, shared the company’s vision for the region, and Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, provided valuable insights.
Minister Bartlett, highlighting the significant role of tourism in the global economy, noted that Jamaica, with its share of the cruise business, has a crucial role to play in meeting the growing demand. He emphasized the importance of Jamaican businesses being at the heart of tourism supply arrangements and thanked Carnival for highlighting Jamaica’s supply capabilities. “I’m excited about the prospects of our manufacturers, our farmers and other suppliers taking their place in the supply chain of the tourism industry, and making prosperity not just a word, but a reality,” he concluded.
Following the session, two days of one-on-one meetings were held between Anyabwelé and potential suppliers. These meetings focused on identifying Jamaican businesses capable of meeting Carnival Corporation’s high standards for quality and quantity, with the goal of finding businesses ready to supply the corporation’s global cruise lines.
This forum provided local businesses with a unique opportunity to enter the international cruise market, further solidifying Jamaica’s position as a key hub for the Caribbean. The event showcased the collaborative efforts of Carnival Corporation, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Ministry of Tourism, and other stakeholders, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to diversify its supply chain and support regional economies.
