Puts the Spark in Ganja Tourism CANNA CORNER Puts the Spark in GANJA TOURISM
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HospitalityThe Gleaner Jamaica KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TO THE BUSINESS OF TOURISM WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 Canna Corner puts the spark in Ganja tourism CANNA CORNER puts the spark in GANJA TOURISM JANET SILVERA Rastafari people and grassroots commu- Above: An Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator nities through educational and training exhibitor at AMAICAN GANJA took its official programmes, collective representation for the Canna place at Reggae Sumfest with Canna better industry standards and inclusive- CornerAn JCorner, a designated area attracting ness, as well as technical and administra- exhibitor at thousands of visitors, both local and in- tive assistance. the Canna ternational, even the police, an indication For president and chairman of Corner that the demand for ganja-infused tourism Cannacure and one of the founders CONTRIBUTED experiences remains tremendous. of RAGGA, Eaton O. Evans, Canna PHOTOS THIS IS the second major Jamaican Corner cemented the synergy between Right: The music festival to incorporate state-sanc- the festival, Jamaican ganja and reggae CannaCure tioned ganja experiences into its offerings, music, which has its groundings in the booth had the first being Rebel Salute, which estab- Rastafarian faith. numerous lished its Herb Curb three years ago. “It was good; it was superb. It was strains of Canna Corner was organised as a pro- actually more than we were expecting. ganja on ject of the Rastafari and Grassroots Ganja The patrons of Sumfest were pleased with display Association (RAGGA), a cluster of or- what they saw. It’s something I would ganisations whose aim is to, among other say differentiated Sumfest this year. things, protect the ganja-related rights of Because this type of vibe is always present 2 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 plants, they wanted to take pic- tures. It is the first time many were seeing an actual cannabis plant,” he added. “Some of them said they wished they could just stay in Jamaica, because this (ganja) is what they want,” he said. According to an article published in The New York Times earlier this month, titled ‘Cannabis tourism is on the rise’, ganja experiences are “totally hot in Colorado and emerg- ing in others like California, which have “rolled out the green carpet for tourists and entrepreneurs are organising marijuana-infused expe- Patrons checking out the offerings at Canna Corner at Reggae riences, including painting classes, Sumfest 2019. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Guests flowing in and out of bus tours and food classes”. Ganja the Canna Corner at Reggae The CannaHemp Energy drink tourism is regarded as a multibil- Sumfest 2019. booth was popular. lion-dollar industry. The RAGGA organization obtained a special exemption from the Government under the Sacramental Rights and so mem- bers of the organisation were not able to sell ganja in the village, but were only able to accept monetary contributions. Ras Negus of Rastafari Root House sees the Canna Corner as redemption for the weed and a furtherance of the push towards full legalisation. “We give thanks, because we are on a mission with ganja to get Rastafari full freedom and Patrons at the Canna Corner at Reggae Sumfest 2019. full rights in all operations of the ganja business. We give thanks “Canna Corner is important because Ras Negus of the award- Police officers were among that this has happened right here in winning Herb House in those who streamed in to Montego Bay,” he said. a symbiotic relationship is being Lorinel ‘Ras Picky-Picky’ Montego Bay. Canna Corner. Simmonds told Hospitality forged between herb and the music. different level, calling for the free- its vegan food offerings and Jamaica that he was grateful that ing of the herb. So, collaboration natural beauty products; and ganja ganja was being embraced in the Most Jamaican reggae artistes, they on something like this was needed, tourism, which still remains largely very city where one of its natives, and, if you see how Reggae untapped. Mario Deane, was arrested and push the ganja on a different level, later lost his life due to possession Sumfest is being advertised, it “It was also a great experience of a ganja spliff. has a Rastaman doing musical for the overseas visitors. Some of calling for the freeing of the herb.” vibrations as its logo. So it is a “I want to say thanks to Mr these people were already exposed coming home; us meeting at home, Bogdanovich for allowing us this to those types of displays, because basically,” he said. privilege so we could be here at inside of the reggae festivals or Hall in Montego Bay. The response from the tourists they are from California, Colorado, Sumfest. We do appreciate it and shows. But, in this organised “Canna Corner is important and Jamaicans, Evans said, was different places in Canada, and we are looking forward for it to be fashion and my people coming because a symbiotic relationship heartening, adding that with its me- these places are big cannabis deal- better. Regretfully, a youth, Mario together, it was marvelous,” Evans is being forged between herb and dicinal cannabis offerings, Canna ers. But for some of them it is the Deane, lost his life over what we told Hospitality Jamaica on the music. Most Jamaican reggae Corner also provided a boost to the first they are seeing stuff like this. are here trying to promote today,” Saturday6x5 b&w MoreValuestrip.qxdnight at the Catherine 7/20/06 artistes,10:00 AM they Page push 1 the ganja on a Jamaican wellness agenda through When we showed the cannabis he said. HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 3 Half Moon names Shernette Crichton general manager HE BOARD of Directors of Half chairman of Half Moon. environmental and pillars of excellence Moon, one of the Caribbean’s most “This was a natural selection as she has training programmes. Ticonic resort destinations, has an- been the embodiment of Half Moon’s values In 1998, she went on to the Tourism nounced the appointment of Shernette of respect, integrity, certainty, and honesty. Product Development Company, where Crichton as the resort’s new general manager. We are confident that Shernette will continue she spent a year as the agency’s training Crichton, who is the first woman to hold our traditions of excellence in the competent officer. In 1999, she returned to Half Moon the position, served as Half Moon’s director manner that she has handled all her other to assume the post of director of training and of resort operations since 2015 and interim roles,” he said. education. general manager since December 2018. Shernette Crichton’s tenure at Half Moon In 2007, she was promoted to hotel man- “Shernette has been responsible for began in 1990 as a trainee manager. She ager, becoming the first woman to hold the leading and implementing programmes that soon moved up the ranks to assistant sales post. have been instrumental in the success of Half manager then to assistant manager, spe- Crichton’s appointment commenced on Shernette Crichton, new general manager, Moon over the years,” said Guy Steuart III, cial projects, spearheading Half Moon’s July 1. Half Moon. CONTRIBUTED Round Hill CONTRIBUTED Global Magazine Travel and Leisure gives top ranking to the Tensing Pen Negril and Round Hill Hotel and Villas READERS OF one of the world’s leading travel travel experiences around the globe – to share small and independent hotels to world travellers magazines, the influential Travel + Leisure their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, and the commitment of our hard-working team (T+L) magazine in its 2019 World’s Best islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. to service excellence,” remarked Evelyn Smith, Awards, have ranked Jamaica’s Tensing Pen and Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, general manager. Round Hill Hotel and Villas among the top 100 service, food, and overall value. The results of For his part, managing director of the Round hotels in the world. the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2019 Hill Josef Forstmayr has been toasting the cov- Tensing Pen, located in Negril, is ranked 76th are featured at www.travelandleisure.com/ eted position in which his resort has found itself. in the world’s top 100 hotels and fifth in the worlds-best and in the August issue of Travel Renowned for its impeccable service, Caribbean’s top 25 hotels. In both categories, + Leisure magazine. outstanding food, and the willingness of staff Tensing Pen is the highest-ranked Jamaican “Last year, we were ecstatic to be voted as members to go the extra mile to meet requests, hotel. one of top 25 hotels in the Caribbean category. Round Hill has earned an international stamp Montego Bay’s Round Hill Hotel and Villas Now, in 2019, to be further recognised as one of approval over the years, that is, in addition is the only other Jamaican resort to make the of the world’s top 100 hotels is truly wonderful. to the fact that physically, as it has often been mark this year. All of the Tensing Pen team is elated by this described, as a naturally beautiful, serene, Every year, for its World’s Best Awards, recognition from the readers of Travel and tranquil, mesmerising, quaint, and fabulous Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on Leisure. It truly demonstrates the appeal of place. 4 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 From being a janitor, I pushed my- self and sacrificed a lot to be where Manufacturer praises hotels that I am at today, even after my house burnt down,” she added. Perry’s Manufacturing Company is a three-time Jamaica Hotel and buy Jamaican and build Jamaica Tourist Association’s Purveyor of the Year awardee and is one of the JANET SILVERA from Kingston’s inner city who leading distributors, manufacturers Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator “It’s important for the hotels to started out at Perry’s as an office and exporters of hotel supplies in NE OF Jamaica’s major attendant, went to garment-sewing Jamaica and the Caribbean.