creative services, and we rely on Jamaican suppliers for everything from food to transportation.”Through this web of connections, the tourism dollar circulates throughout the economy, creating a ripple effect that benefits Jamaican workers and entrepreneurs far beyond the tourism industry. Over the past decade, Madden-Greig and her team have also focused on maximizing the impact of tourism dollars within Jamaica. This approach, known as “linkages,” retains more of the income generated by tourism within the country, fueling local business growth and expanding employment opportunities. “We want to ensure that tourism revenue permeates the Jamaican economy,” she says, “so that more Jamaicans benefit—whether through direct employment, entrepreneurship, or as suppliers to the industry.” These local linkages are visible in initiatives like the “Christmas in July” event, hosted annually at Jamaica Pegasus in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. The event connects local entrepreneurs with potential buyers in the tourism sector, providing a platform for Jamaican artisans and small businesses to showcase their products. INVESTING IN LOCAL TALENT TO MEET WORKFORCE CHALLENGES As workforce shortages grip the global hospitality industry, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel’s hiring of locals has proven invaluable. Madden-Greig believes that investing in Jamaican talent has helped the hotel maintain a stable workforce and unlocked the broader potential of tourism as a transformative force in Caribbean societies. “Tourism can truly transform the communities we live in—not just by creating jobs, but by fostering entrepreneurship and generating long-term wealth,” she says. Opening doors at all levels ensures the industry provides opportunities that require minimal barriers to entry, from craft vending to high-skilled roles in I.T. and engineering. Madden-Greig’s advocacy is far-reaching. Having recently completed a three-year term as president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, she pinpoints the need for strong collaboration 41 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11 JAMAICA PEGASUS HOTEL
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