Positive Response to Jamrock Summer

Chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Board in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Kingsley Cooper, says event organizers and promoters have been responding favourably to the ‘Jamrock Summer – 90 Days 90 Ways’ initiative by including their activities on the entertainment calendar.

Jamrock Summer – 90 Days 90 Ways is a series of islandwide events that begin in May of each year and end in August and present Jamaica as a cohesive tourism and entertainment destination.

The initiative presents in creative and dynamic ways, the essence of Jamaica in terms of its culture, music, cuisine, sporting prowess, film and other entertainment offerings.

“We are seeing a very good response to the initiative and all indicators are positive…this initiative has enhanced the market response to established events and we are going to see some new events as well that could only have benefitted and become successful by virtue of an initiative such as this,” Mr. Cooper said.

The Chairman pointed out that persons can visit the website: www.jamrocksummer.com to view or add their events.

“We want to use our existing entertainment product as a catalyst and enticer for a wider group of visitors who want to enjoy Jamaican entertainment…and it need not just be a concert, but a food festival, film festival or fashion week…but the idea depends on what you like; you can come in the summer and enjoy a range of activities,” Mr. Cooper noted.

He continued that the initiative therefore, will see a major push being made towards attracting international visitors to the island, as well as encouraging Jamaicans to support local entertainment activities across the country.

“So, a lot of the things that exist now are part of the activities and things that are not yet in existence will be added over time. The point is, you can always, during the summertime, come to Jamaica,” the Chairman said.

Some of the major events already included on the entertainment calendar are: Caribbean Fashion Week, June 6 to 15 in Kingston; Kingston on the Edge (KOTE), June 19 to 28; Jamaica Film Festival, July 7 to 11 in Kingston; Reggae Sumfest, July 12-18 in Montego Bay; Black River Day, July 31; Montego Bay Jerk Festival, August 1 and Dream Weekend, August 5 to 9 in Negril.