Jamaica is using the return of its flagship tourism trade event to Ocho Rios to reinforce commercial relationships with Canada and position the island for another period of expansion in the international visitor market.
The 36th Jamaica Product Exchange, or JAPEX, is taking place at Moon Palace Jamaica from Monday, 14–Thursday, 17 September 2026, bringing together Jamaican tourism suppliers and international buyers, including representatives from Canada. The event has returned to Ocho Rios after more than a decade away from the north-coast resort.
Canada is particularly important to Jamaica’s tourism strategy. The Jamaica Tourist Board says roughly 400,000 airline seats are expected to be available between Canada and Jamaica during the 2026–27 winter, supported by expanded services from established carriers and new routes from Porter Airlines. Officials see the additional capacity as an opportunity to convert stronger air connectivity into sustained visitor growth.
The Canadian delegation at JAPEX forms part of a broader international presence. More than 22 countries had registered buyers ahead of the event, with Canada among the markets represented alongside the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.), Germany, France, Mexico, Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
For Jamaican tourism businesses, the importance of JAPEX extends beyond promotional exposure. The event is structured around direct meetings between suppliers and buyers who can influence hotel bookings, vacation packages, excursions and other travel products. The official JAPEX programme describes the gathering as a business-to-business marketplace designed to create commercial connections and negotiate opportunities.
The choice of Ocho Rios also carries symbolic weight. Jamaica’s tourism industry continues to rebuild following Hurricane Melissa. This is whilst the government seeks to demonstrate that the island’s tourism infrastructure and businesses remain capable of welcoming international visitors. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has said approximately 80% of Jamaica’s hotels have reopened, with the remaining properties expected to resume operations in the first quarter of 2027.
JAPEX therefore arrives at a crucial point for Jamaica. With Canadian travellers gaining more flight choices and Jamaican suppliers seeking wider international business, the event provides an opportunity to turn renewed interest in the destination into longer-term partnerships, increased visitor spending and wider economic benefits.
For Jamaica, the message is straightforward: rebuilding tourism is not only about restoring capacity but also about strengthening the international relationships that will fill that capacity in the seasons ahead.
