2 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 ADVERTISEMENT Knutsford Express rolls into Port Antonio Janet Silvera Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator NUTSFORD EXPRESS, the pioneering transportation Kfirm which has changed the face of local transport, has expanded its service to the forgotten tourist resort of Portland. Knutsford now boasts an island- wide network with new service along Jamaica’s north-east coast, from Ocho Rios to Port Antonio. The aim, Knutsford Express chief executive officer, Oliver Townsend said, is to put in 20,000 seats, giving properties that are struggling to get their guests there much-needed, reliable transportation, “particularly from Negril and Montego Bay”. Statistics from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) shows a record of approximately 20,000 tourists visiting Port Antonio in 2014. “We are delighted after much effort to finally serve the parish of Portland,” said an excited Townsend during an interview with Hospitality Jamaica. He noted that from their new offices at the Anthony Copeland (left), director of operations, Knutsford Express, and the company’s managing director, Oliver Townsend. Errol Flynn Marina in Port Anto- nio, which opened on April 7, they Hotelier Jabbar Fahmi of Jamaica He explained that prospective for multi-destinations in the “They are all are air-conditioned are offering daily scheduled luxury Palace said, “Knutsford Express will passengers can plan a vacation in Caribbean, “Likewise, Jamaica with reclining seats, reading lights. coach service, “connecting our certainly speed up guest arrivals at Port Antonio because it’s no longer being diverse, you have this sub- They are a newer generation of award-winning north coast service Jamaica Palace. The comfort and way off the beaten path. sector of the Jamaican industry that coaches with charging feeds for via Ocho Rios, to Negril, Montego style they offer is very welcomed”. “With a click on the Internet, wants to explore and see more. We laptops and phones,” Townsend Bay, Falmouth and New Kingston”. The service has been welcomed by they are able to secure travel have made the investment and we said. ATTRACTING TOURISTS a number of local tourism interests arrangements.” are hoping that the JTB will help to Beyond the high technology that including: Hotel Tim Bamboo, Townsend argued that the service spread the news of this new service.” the vehicles are equipped with, it is According to him, although the Mockingbird Hill, Rio Vista Resort, will probably bolster the local taxi All the buses being used are the service offered to passengers, service was designed for Jamaicans, it Great Huts and Bayview Eco Resort. operators as well. coaches that are 90 per cent particularly by their customer trans- has been attracting tourists who also Passengers departing Negril as “Like all our other areas where we equipped with restrooms. They are portation officers that Townsend appreciate the professionalism, relia- early as 7:15 a.m. get to Port operate, it creates business for the feature-rich, offering more comfort said remains the high point. bility, safety and comfort associated local taxi operators.” Antonio after 1 p.m. currently. than the typical buses used in the with Knutsford Express. tour industry. [email protected] “It is with great pride that we intro- From Thursday to Monday, per- MARKETING ADVANTAGE duce this service to Port Antonio, sons can also depart Montego Bay The Knutsford Express CEO is using coaches equipped with air-con- at 5 p.m., getting to Port Antonio hoping that the JTB, with its ditioner, reclining seats, Wi-Fi, by approximately 9 p.m. Likewise, impressive expansion of the mass FLAG POLES onboard restroom and bottled water. every morning the bus leaves Port market side of the industry, will We operate at such a standard that Antonio at 6:30 a.m. with compli- take marketing advantage of this Aluminumupto25ft tourists are drawn to it.” mentary drop-off at the Sangster investment made in putting seats Townsend said with fares as low International Airport. in various parts of the island. Steelupto20ft as US$26 per person one-way, this “We have gotten overwhelmingly “Ideally, we are assisting the Indoor Poles also available will significantly add rooms to the positive feedback from all parts of smaller properties.” many properties in Portland that the accommodations sub-sector in Making reference to comments Hotel & Guest House Special now on! have complained over the years the hospitality industry, because made by Minister of Tourism and about their inaccessibility and they realise this opens up the tourist Entertainment Dr Wykeham absence of an aerodrome lit for market to them in a fundamental McNeill, Townsend said he has Call: 360-8805 / 813-5142 arrival of aircraft at night. way,” added Townsend. spoken about the growing demand

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 3 ReggaeReggaeimpresses HillHill. FCCA team

Sections of the new Reggae Hill attraction in Ocho Rios. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

FANTASTIC show that featured the Jolly said Sam Wieselberg, who represents the parent Boys mento band and guitar maestro Ernie company. ARanglin, fine food, and a salubrious atmos- “They have visited hundreds of ports of call, so it phere at the newly created attraction, Reggae makes us feel that we’re doing something right. We Hill, impressed a visiting team of Florida- had a very short time to prepare and the artistes Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) platinum didn’t have time to prepare for a full show, but they members on a recent tour of the location. were a delightful treat, they were marvellous. “ The tour of the venue, situated on the Irie Reggae Hill, on the Irie River property, offers River property, involved representatives from river swimming, reggae music and exquisite several cruise lines, including Norwegian, gourmet dining. Carnival and the Royal Caribbean. The visitors were treated to authentic The tour also took in the popular Bamboo Jamaican food with a menu consisting of, among Beach Club, which incidentally operates Reggae other delicacies, ackee and salt-fish with fried Hill. ripe plantain, mahimahi fish with roasted bread- “It was the first introduction for the cruise fruit, spicy cherry salamari on saffron rice and ship executive and it was quite encouraging,” escovitch fish on polenta.

4 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 ADVERTISEMENT HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 5 THE BUSINESS OF TOURISM As the US gradually lifts travel ban on Cuba Writing on the wall for the region NE DAY in the not-too- specified categories of US visitors The process may be slow to bring cipally aimed at Cuban Americans distant future, it is likely on study tours, or the like. about a complete change, but it is and offer travel at a lower cost than Othat United States (US)- For some years now, Cuba has already clear that there are incre- present charted air services and will registered cruise ships will begin to made clear that it wants cruise calls mental steps that can be taken to carry baggage for free, they will also sail into Cuban ports. That day and has been developing its ports modify existing regulations under be able to carry other US visitors in has not yet arrived as US regula- and marinas around the country the US president’s executive the 12 allowed travel categories, tions expressly prohibit US visitors with the expected ultimate prize authority. continuing the process of gradually making Cuba the new normal. The and most US-registered vessels being the further development the FERRY SERVICES travelling to Cuba for tourism pur- port of Havana, probably in con- services may also in time carry cargo For instance, in the last weeks, poses, but already, non-US cruise junction with an international in the form of now allowed non- the US Treasury and Commerce companies are opening up what developer. state exports from Cuba’s emerging departments have granted licences looks like becoming a significant According to the official Cuban self employed sector. to allow, for the first time in more Before the US imposed a trade cruise market. media quoting the president of the than 50 years, US companies to embargo on Cuba, cruise ships and European companies, including Cuban tour operators, Havanatur, operate ferry services between ferries called at Cuban ports on a Fred Olsen Line and Thomson José Bisbe, during the 2014-15 win- David Jessop ter season, the island received the Florida and Cuba. The four or pos- daily basis. The growing interest of Cruises, are now sailing out of At least one major US cruise cor- sibly more companies involved are the cruise lines in Cuba is not yet a Barbados and Montego Bay as largest number of visits ever with 200 ship calls at various ports poration has been in dialogue with expected to operate services out of challenge for the rest of the region, well as from ports further afield around the island. the Cuban authorities and there is Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key West but the writing is on the wall. Cuba including Tenerife and anecdotal evidence that they are and possibly some other US ports in the space of months has become Southampton. Their success is US CRUISE LINES considering how best to lobby as well. a hot destination for US citizens. If, likely to grow as Cuba is rapidly While this has been happening, Congress. It seems they may do this While Cuba has still to approve as Cuba hopes, the US travel ban is becoming a must-visit destination and since President Obama and along with a number of Fortune the service and agree with the com- eventually lifted and the big cruise and it becomes harder to obtain a President Castro’s December 2014 500 companies through one of the panies involved which Cuban ports lines call and take up incentives to hotel room in cities like Havana announcement that Cuba and the new super Political Action commit- they will call at, the decision marks home-port, the rest of the region in the high season because of the US would normalise relations, the tees that have recently been a further step in the easing of travel needs to consider the ways in easing of travel restrictions to big US cruise lines have not been formed to press for an end to the restrictions on US citizens. which the structure of tourism in Cuba for Cuban Americans and for standing still. US trade embargo. Although the ferry services are prin- the region will change. Half Moon appoints new GM ON HIS new appointment as general manager of Hotel Cipriani in Venice, and served as general ings reflect the best in both the Half Moon, A RockResort, industry veteran, manager for the prestigious Reid’s in Madeira, a Jamaica and the Caribbean,” he Sandro Fabris, said the Jamaican traditions are popular year-round resort island known for its said. “We are truly honoured to have traditions that will continue to set Half Moon local wine, flora and artisans. As regional man- Sandro join our team and believe apart as a luxury destination. aging director of Africa for Orient Express his experience will contin- The Montego Bay resort, known for its Hotels, he was in charge of the Mount Nelson ue to enhance Half timeless elegance, distinct character, and Hotel in Cape Town, the Westcliff Hotel in Moon’s appeal Sandro quintessential Jamaican hospitality, are what Johannesburg and three safari camps in among our loyal Fabris has been at the heart of the 400-acre beach- Botswana. He speaks Italian, English, French, and new guests front resort throughout its 60-year history. Portuguese and Spanish. alike.” Fabris brings more than two decades of man- STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES Fabris began agement experience for luxury hotels around his tenure at “Sandro has demonstrated strong leadership the Half the world to his new role. and performance throughout his career in a Moon in “Hospitality is foundational to Jamaican cul- number of countries and cultures,” said James mid- ture, so delivering authentic, high-quality service O’Donnell, senior vice-president and COO, April. to our guests at Half Moon is easy,” said Fabris. Vail Resorts Hospitality & Real Estate. “His “Our guests come on holiday to discover the philosophy on service, culture and leadership local traditions, culture and gastronomy; and are well aligned with our vision for Half Moon, they come to Half Moon not for formality, but for so we are pleased to appoint him as general a carefree and relaxing experience where the manager.” local-based staff is passionate, excited and eager Guy Steuart III, chairman of Half Moon to share the beauty of their country with Half Bay, Ltd, echoed O’Donnell’s sentiments in Moon’s guests.” welcoming Sandro to Half Moon. A global hospitality pro, Fabris started his “For more than 60 years, Half Moon has career with CIGA Hotels at the Hotel Excelsior offered guests an authentic Jamaican retreat in Venice-Lido, has been hotel manager at the where our service standards and product offer-

6 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 ADVERTISEMENT HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 7 S THE nation celebrates ted against the nation’s children Child’s Month, Half Moon, A and urged Jamaicans to not “see ARockResort reaffirmed its and blind and hear and deaf”, but commitment to caring and protecting to engage the relevant authorities the nation’s children by reopening its as the nation works together to house at the SOS Children’s Village make Jamaica a safe haven for its in St James. children. The house, which will be home to She further encouraged corpo- Half Moon reopens SOS house eight children between the ages of five rate entities to assist children in and eight years, will be maintained by state care who need to pursue the resort. Delivering the keynote higher education but face financial address at the event, chairman of the challenges. Child Development Agency (CDA), The Half Moon House was first Maxine Henry-Wilson, made the call opened in 1972, but closed in the for Jamaicans to show more concern late 1990s. General manager of the for the nation’s children and be more resort, Sandro Fabris, gave the vigilant in reporting child abuse. resort’s commitment to do whatever Henry-Wilson lamented at the it takes to provide for the children recent increase in crimes commit- who will occupy the house.

Sandro Fabris (left), Half Moon’s general manager, presents a cheque to Christopher Anderson, programme director of SOS Children’s Village.

Ribbon Cutting: From left: Half Moon’s general manager, Sandro Fabris; Jason Cummings, councillor for the area; Maxine Henry-Wilson, chairman of the Child Development Agency; Nadine Anderson, national director, SOS Children’s Village; and Reverend Christopher Anderson, programme director, SOS Children’s Village.

The Half Moon Organising Committee: First row, from left: Joan Coore, interior decorator; Shernette Crichton, director of resort operations; Beverly McKenzie, training manager; Diandra Shand, marketing and communications manager; and Phillip Robinson, functions coordinator. Second row, from left: Jeffrey Smith, interior design coordinator; Sherine Blake, executive housekeeper; Erma Clarke, human resources director; Kameil Brown, staff events coordinator, Garvin Codlyn, functions coordinator; Half Moon’s Sharon Logan (left), director of sales, and Erma Reverend Wayne Smith from the Cornwall Courts Baptist Church, Carol Worburton-Ellis (left), Child Development Agency monitoring and Rudolph Lee, driver. Clarke, human resources director, at the hotel’s house opening at who opened the house with prayer, greets Myrtle Dwyer, director officer, Western Region; and Nadine Williams, national director of the SOS Children’s Village. of Glamour DMC. SOS Children’s Village, at the opening of a house by Half Moon.

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 8 9 TOURIST BOARD Second annual Jamaica ITF Seniors Championship held in Montego Bay THE KARL Hale Jamaica Tour She also pledged her support to 2015 took place on April 21-26 at build a brand-new school in Half Moon, A RockResort in Mon- Montego Bay in partnership with tego Bay. The tour was sponsored the Helping Hands Jamaica by the Jamaica Tourist Board and Foundation, a Canadian charity featured 100 players from Jamaica, established in 2006 by Karl Hale. France, Britain, Canada, the United To date, the foundation has States, Cayman Islands and raised more than $775,000, Trinidad and Tobago. which has helped to build seven Karl Hale, a Jamaica-born tennis schools and help more than professional and tournament 4,000 Jamaican children. Some of director of Toronto’s Rogers Cup, the schools which have benefited organised the International Tennis Following the prize presentation, Jason Hall (right), deputy director of tourism, cruise, events Federation (ITF) tournament include Bernard Basic School, and attractions, Jamaica Tourist Board, poses with Men’s 3000m, second-place winner, which brought 2013 Wimbledon Long Hill Basic School, Reliance Basic School, Arlington Basic American, Andrew J. Acosta (left), and the winner, Juan Luis Barrios, of Mexico. Champion Marion Bartoli to the island for an exhibition and chari- School, and the Park Mountain ty fundraiser in support of build- Early Childhood Institution. ing a school in Jamaica. Hale Plans for a third annual ITF Jamaica hosts successful played Bartoli in a Battle of the championship in Jamaica are under Sexes exhibition game – a match way with the dates currently slated staging of IAAF track meet that Bartoli won. for April 20-24, 2016. HE NATIONAL Stadium was the place to be on and reputation makes the island one of the best May 9 for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative tourist destinations in the world. She has been using TAssociation’s Jamaica International Invitational international sporting events such as JIIM to leverage Meet (JIIM). Now in its 12th year, the event welcomed the ability of the athletes and her award winning a bevy of Jamaican and international track and field tourism product to boost sports tourism. stars. An IAAF World Challenge Meet, JIIM 2015 was LEADING SPORTS TOURISM DESTINATION co-sponsored by Jamaica Sport in collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board. In applauding the success of the meet, Jason Hall The meet attracted world-class athletes including had this to say: “The legacy of our excellence in Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Stephanie Ann sport, especially track and field, combined with our McPherson, Asafa Powell, Kerron Stewart, Hansel world-leading tourism product, has enabled Jamaica Parchment, Travis Smikle, Novelene William-Mills to be the leading sports tourism destination in the and Javon Francis. International competitors included region. The Jamaica International Invitational Meet LaShawn Merrit, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross, is an excellent vehicle for sports tourism. Jamaica Bershawn Jackson, Vikas Gowda, Jonathan Borlee, Sport and the Jamaica Tourist Board are working Christian Cantwell and Caterine Ibarguen. closely with the meet organisers to take the event to Many of the athletes posted world-leading times, the next level of being part of the illustrious Diamond which augur well for the event and destination League series.” Jamaica. Through Jamaica Sport, the Jamaica Tourist Board Sports tourism is an important part of the market- aims to invest in sporting opportunities that will gen- ing mix that attracts visitors to Jamaica and during erate positive returns for Jamaica and promote the the staging of the JIIM, Kingston had the attention of island as the premier sporting destination in the From left: Jason Hall, Karl Hale, Marion Bartoli, Mark Joseph the track and field world. Jamaica’s sporting acumen region. and Bryan Grenier.

10 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 ESTERN JAMAICA has been given the opportu- Wnity to be better informed about the history and nature of the TEF funds historic Rastafari Rastafari movement through a his- torical exhibition mounted at National Museum West, located in the Montego Bay Cultural Centre. exhibition at Museum West In keeping with its efforts to foster the development of various aspects lace about the fact that Rastafari is a of the country’s tourism product, bona fide, genuine part of the the Tourism Enhancement Fund Jamaican culture and history. It is (TEF) played a pivotal role in indeed a very integral part of our enabling the Rastafari exhibition to national psyche, and this has been be mounted at the Cultural Centre, embodied in the fact that wherever where it will be displayed for a year. you go in the world, Rastafari can be Speaking at the opening of the seen in one form or the other.” exhibition recently, executive direc- Director of the National Museum tor of the TEF, Clyde Harrison, Jamaica, Dr Johnathan Greenland, described the mounting of the exhi- noted that it was the first major bition and the presence of members exhibition for Museum West. He of the Rastafari community as “a disclosed that the exhibition ran at journey with some distance still left the Smithsonian Museum in Wash- to go”, but which stood out as a tes- ington DC in the USA for many tament to the spirit of the Jamaican years before the Rastafari commu- people. nity negotiated for it to be brought From the viewpoint of Rastafari, to Jamaica. Its first stop was in Harrison commented on “the Kingston, where it was expanded strength of their culture, their insis- extensively. tence on being themselves and PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBIT being accepted for who they are and what they are about”. For Through artefacts, images, videos other Jamaican people – “the and text, the exhibition seeks to police, the Government – to accept explore the history and nature of them also, it’s the spirit of the Rastafari, including: the revelation Jamaican people in its full glory – of Rastafari, the philosophy and the Rastafari and everybody else evolution of the Rastafari move- coming together to say welcome ment, the visit of His Imperial Rasta,” he added. The recent opening of the historical Rastafari Exhibition at National Museum West inside the Majesty Haile Selassie to Jamaica, PROMOTING WHAT’S GOOD Montego Bay Cultural Centre was enhanced by pulsating Nyahbingi drumming by Rasta Village and the impact of Rastafari on Live, featuring Prince Tebah and vocals by Ras Iziniga Ion (right). music. It also provides a historical Speaking to TEF’s involvement review of the tribulations experi- in the exhibition, Harrison said enced by members, in particular the while the fund promoted tourism events surrounding the Coral Gar- extensively, the fact was that “we dens massacre in April 1963. promote what is good for Jamaicans Following a yearlong run in and for the tourist to enjoy”. As Montego Bay, it will be turned examples, he pointed to several over to the Rastafari community TEF projects including the develop- for it to be housed at a permanent ment of the Montego Bay Cultural learning centre to be established Centre, restoration of The Dome in by the ethnic group. Montego Bay and the current First Man at the Rastafari installation of LED lights on the Indigenous Village in St James also Elegant Corridor from Sangster applauded the collaboration of the International Airport to Lilliput, St Government of Jamaica and the James. Rastafari Millennium Council in He said: “We are funding the bringing about the exhibition. museum and we will continue to do “Especially here in Montego so. We will not ignore the culture of the people nor what is important Bay, the Rastafari community to us, and when we do this, it faced one of our worst challenges; speaks to our spirit, so we are very this is where the Coral Gardens proud to be associated with this incident took place, (and) right endeavour and all the others that here in the centre of the city is we have put forward for the people where Sam Sharpe and all of our of Jamaica and the tourists to African people were down pressed, enjoy.” and for us to be here eternally burn- Member of Parliament for Central ing Babylon and then find that the St James, Lloyd B. Smith, welcomed Executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Clyde Harrison (right), hears from curator same system now can speak of who the exhibition as a special undertak- of National Museum West, Dr Alicia Palmer (centre), how the Rastafari movement developed into Rastafari is and what Rastafari ing to pay tribute to Rastafari. an internationally recognised community, as member of parliament for Central St James, Lloyd B. represents over that period of “This exhibition, I am sure, will Smith, is glued to the information on display at the Rastafari Exhibition, which opened at National time, that is a great achievement,” help to enlighten the general popu- Museum West inside the Montego Bay Cultural Centre recently. he proclaimed.

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 11 St Lucia to host third annual LOVE Elevated Wedding Symposium ROM SEPTEMBER 23-27, New York’s top event designers. A 2015, St Lucia will host a favourite of celebrities, socialites Froster of wedding experts and the fashion world, his work during the third annual LOVE on Catherine Zeta-Jones and Elevated Wedding Symposium. Michael Douglas’s wedding was New this year, a panel of real featured in magazines and news brides who were married on the shows internationally and was island will share their destination touted as “the wedding of the cen- wedding experiences and first- tury”. Town & Country magazine hand advice with attendees. has called him “one of New York’s “Recognised worldwide as the extremely design savvy” talents. ‘most romantic island in the Alan Berg has been named Caribbean’, Saint Lucia has a North America’s leading expert CONTRIBUTED natural ambience for weddings on the business of weddings and romance,” said Louis Lewis, and events. Berg’s experience Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill (left) and Cuban Ambassador to director of tourism for the St Lucia ranges from publisher of two Jamaica, Señor Bernardo Guanche Hernández, share a light moment during a courtesy call on Tourist Board. “By providing truly wedding magazines, to vice- McNeill by the ambassador at the ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday, January 14. useful information to attendees president of sales at The Knot, about destination weddings, the and now, a contributing educa- wedding symposium builds St tion guru for WeddingWire, the Lucia’s reputation as a premier leading wedding technology McNeill to moderate panel location for weddings, as well as company. He also speaks and provide opportunities for our island consults for WeddingsOnline in partners to better understand the Ireland, Dubai and India, as discussion at seminar in Haiti market.” well as Guides For Brides in the MINISTER OF Tourism and Entertainment Dr The panel discussion is titled The Importance of PANELLISTS AND SPEAKERS United Kingdom. Wykeham McNeill will moderate a panel discussion at Tourism Routes as Part of Regional Cooperation Andrea McDowell, previ- the International Seminar: Multidestination Opportu- Agreements. It includes panellists Cecilia Alvarez- Noted speakers will also ously a TV director for the BBC, nities for Regional Integration, in Port-au-Prince, Correa, minister of trade, industry and tourism, address the latest trends and is the founder and managing Haiti, from May 19 to 22. Colombia; Marcela Bacigalupo, minister of tourism, topics ranging from What’s New director of the wedding videogra- The tourism and entertainment minister was sched- Paraguay; Maru Acevedo, deputy director, and Trending in the Industry, phy company Shoot it Yourself. uled to depart for Haiti yesterday. Guatemala Tourism Institute, Guatemala; Manuel Using Social Media to Enhance The company launched five years While in Haiti, McNeill will also participate in the Marrero Cruz, minister of tourism, Cuba; and a rep- Destination Weddings and 58th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the resentative from the Silk Road Programme, ago and is the United Kingdom’s Increase Sales, to Why St Lucia Americas being held on Thursday. Both the Commis- UNWTO. largest wedding videography and Surviving a Destination sion meeting and the international seminar are being McNeill is being accompanied to Haiti by the min- company, producing over 350 Wedding; providing insights to jointly organised by the Haitian government and the istry’s permanent secretary, Jennifer Griffith. He planning and hosting the perfect wedding videos a year. World Tourism Organization. returns to the island on Friday, May 22. wedding on the island. FESTIVITIES Panellists and speakers include: Michelle Myers, chief rev- The festivities include site visits enue officer and publisher of to unique wedding destinations BRIDES who launched Brides and hotels around the island, a Live Wedding, a crowd-sourced, showcase of island wedding ven- RIU GM live-streamed wedding curated by dors, and the opportunity for brides, which garnered nearly one attendees to observe a sunset billion impressions and enabled wedding aboard the Pearl Pirate reads to her to successfully monetise social Ship. A picturesque sunset cruise media. Prior to BRIDES, Myers and cocktail reception from the students served as vice-president and pub- southern side of the island with lisher of Luckymagazine and was views of the iconic UNESCO RIU RESORTS general the founding publisher of People World Heritage Pitons round out manager, Frank Sondern, StyleWatch. weekend activities. reads to Barracks Road David Beahm, founder and Priced at US$250 per person, the president of David Beahm Design, five-day symposium includes all Primary School students has drawn from experience with seminars, social events, site inspec- during a Read Across New York’s top florists and special tions and transportation from select Jamaica project with event designers, as well as formal hotels. For a complete schedule and the Spanish Jamaica training in theatre, television and more information, visit www.stlu- grand opera to become one of cia.org/weddingsymposium/. Foundation.

12 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 Jade Mountain tops most romantic holiday list ONDON’S TELEGRAPH resort: “It’s a futuristic, hilltop lair Media Group has recognised with gigantic, open-plan bedrooms LJade Mountain in St Lucia as called sanctuaries, that bask in the top of its top 10 list of most mesmerising views through ‘miss- romantic holidays in the ing’ fourth walls of the island’s Caribbean. green Pitons erupting out of the Recognising the alluring resort as sea.” the crème de la crème, Telegraph REMOVING DISTRACTIONS Travel published that “of St Lucia’s many romantic boltholes, the most Also highlighted by the British striking is Jade Mountain”. paper was the Troubetzkoys’ insis- “I love what we do at Jade tence on removing all distractions to Mountain, and I love it when people romance: “The rooms are free of deeply in love use us as their sanctu- technology – the idea is you should ary to enhance and deepen their focus your attention on your partner romance, so it is certainly fantastic – and most have their own iridescent- to be recognised at the top of the tiled (infinity) pools.” list of the most romantic holidays And while deeply flattered by the in the Caribbean from this impor- well-earned recognition awarded to tant media company,” said Karolin Jade Mountain, Troubetzkoy warmly Troubetzkoy, operations director of notes that “we should not overlook Jade Mountain and its sister, Anse that right next door to Jade Mountain Chastanet resort in St Lucia. is our Anse Chastanet, another of the The influential London daily most romantic resorts in the newspaper paid homage to the Caribbean, with a deep-rooted con- innovative design wrought by Nick nection to St Lucia’s art and culture, Troubetzkoy, the Canadian owner beautiful views and classic Caribbean and architect of the stunning charm”. Jade Mountain in St Lucia. Romance is back in Caribbean Week New York THE CARIBBEAN Tourism Organisation comforting getting to do some of the planning (CTO) is once again injecting a little romance face to face,” said Byron. into Caribbean Week New York. For the second More than 300 couples have already regis- year running, the region’s tourism development tered to attend the event, where they will agency has retained Wedding Salon, the plan- meet the top local vendors from the Caribbean ners of United States bridal tradeshows for the who will help plan these couple’s destination luxury market, to organise a Romance Pavilion wedding or honeymoon. at the grandest Caribbean tourism event in New York. VENUE The Romance Pavilion is an opportunity for It will be held on Wednesday, June 3 from engaged couples seeking a romantic honey- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ez Studios on 325 West moon or destination wedding to connect with 37th Street, New York. The programme will renowned Caribbean resorts, countries, and include a refreshment station, Beautini travel agents. make-up trials, a flower-adorned canopy by Wedding Salon, a partnership between QG Floral, Glamour Closet designer gown American event planner, Tatiana Byron, and previews, Artemix Tattoos, M2M DJs, door Martha Stewart Weddings, organises high-end prizes and luxury swag bags with surprise weddings and luxury bridal shows. Their shows products such as Essie and OPI. attract thousands of brides-to-be, celebrities Caribbean Week New York is a series of and socialites seeking to discover the latest trends and meet with the top vendors. business meetings and consumer events “Destination weddings are on the rise with organised by the CTO New York office to one in four couples getting married in a loca- showcase the warmth, spirit and vibrance of tions far from their residence. The Caribbean the Caribbean. In addition to direct contact Romance Pavilion provides couples with the with consumers, it also provides extensive Event planner Tatiana Byron, who will organise Caribbean Week’s wedding opportunity to speak to vendors and decision media exposure for participating CTO mem- showcase in New York. makers that would otherwise be a flight away. It’s bers and partners.

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 13 Open-door ‘mosque’. The ‘First Supper ‘. Mazola goes even deeper at Redbones Paul H. Williams it was reflected the ‘Last Supper’. It Hospitality Jamaica Writer was a juxtaposition of sorts of an RTIST MAZOLA is well Islamic symbol against a Christian known for his provocative theme. Apieces. One of the many “There are two main religions which are always fighting each other, that were displayed in his latest which they shouldn’t be. One, they show was a platter made of little are very close together, two religions pieces of board. From it he served which have this belief in one supreme spiced bun. He lightheartedly being, but because of how they came called it the ‘Last Supper’, a parody about they are always fighting,” of that famous biblical supper. Mazola explained. The place was the showroom at Redbones Blues Café, and Mazola MOST ENGAGING PIECE is not a Christian. The assemblage, which Mazola “I am not of any religion,” he calls ‘Pass Over’, was arguably the asserted. So why did he get reli- most engaging of the many pieces gious? In fact, he had not gone on show. It was the last piece he religious, as we know it. Mazola, said he had made. He had never the artist, was using art to make a done a piece like that before and religious commentary to engage had to push himself to finish it. It patrons. was not finished in the studio, and PROVOCATIVE SET-UP the idea of splashing the red paint And not far from the ‘Last Supper’ on to the mirror to represent was the ‘First Supper’, a red apple in a blood didn’t occur until it was wood composite bowl. It was another mounted. provocative set-up. But the provoca- The idea was motivated by the tion didn’t stop there. Just above, but biblical Passover story, and “it fits not over, the ‘First Supper’, was an the theme of the season”, Mazola encased mirror, splashed with a told Hospitality Jamaica. The idea ‘bloody’ figure. Below it, ‘blood’ was was executed and the result has sprinkled and settled on the floor. “generated a lot of talk”. And the On an adjacent wall was another “conversation continues in my mirror embedded in a ‘mosque’. From Mazola with a piece of the ‘Last Supper’. mind”, Mazola said.

14 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 Mazola cutting Easter bun on a platter made of wood composites.

The ‘Pass Over’.

A patron viewing Mazola’s work at Redbones Blues Café recently. Mazola opening the door to the ‘mosque’.

HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015 15 Arts in the Park – Dance Edition

Members of the Old Harbour Dance Troupe gave a stellar performance at Arts in the Park – Dance Edition, which took place on May 17, 2015, at Hope Gardens. The fourth staging of Arts in the Park was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment in association with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. The initiative forms part of an ongoing effort by the ministry to develop the local entertainment industry and to give artistes international exposure.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Kerry-Ann Henry and Marlon Simms of the National Dance Theatre Company treat the audience to a riveting performance during Arts in the Park – Dance Edition.

The L’Acadco Dance Force delivered a high-energy performance, much to the delight of the audience.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill (centre) makes a point as he discusses the excellent talent which was displayed at Arts in the Park – Dance Edition, which took place on May 17, 2015 at Hope Gardens with State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment Damion Crawford (left); and Virginie Mecene, artistic director, Graham 2 and A bumper crowd turned out to witness the wide variety of director, Martha Graham Jamaican dance, ranging from traditional folk forms to contem- School of Contemporary porary dancehall. Dance.

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