MISS KITTY CONTRIBUTED Reggae Sumfest organisers Josef Bogdanovich (second right), Robert Russell (right) and Johnny Gourzong (second left) pose with Royalton White Sand’s Andre Hudson (left) and Stayce Ingram during the event’s launch party at the Iberostar in Montego Bay last Wednesday night. Reggae Sumfest set to make a 360° virtual reality turn HE REVOLUTIONARY ious points of view, including stage, ers, the app also gives patrons Reggae Sumfest 360° Live front row and back stage. The app unprecedented access to exclusive TApp is now available in the also gives exclusive access to the areas. In effect, everyone can have Google Play for Android and iOS innovative ‘Party Cam’. a front row seat to ‘The Greatest Apple stores for download. The App users can ‘spin around’ and Reggae Festival on Earth’. app is the first of its kind in see everything that is going on Media pioneer Sepp Donahower Jamaica. around them from that vantage and Yellow Bird developed the rev- The much-talked-about 360° app point. The technology works with olutionary Reggae Sumfest 360° enables global access to Reggae the built-in screen on most mobile Live cross-platform app. Sumfest 2016 performance nights phones and it works with the “There is no textbook on how a on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, optional virtual reality (VR) head- 360° virtual reality app works. It is July 23. Viewers can immerse sets that are commercially avail- highly customised and we have themselves in the festival from var- able. While great for offsite view- worked with the best in the industry 2 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016 ASHLEY ANGUIN/ PHOTOGRAPHER From left: Print sponsors The Gleaner’s Kristina Hylton and Adrian Frater pose with Iberostar’s Tamika Higgins-Baker. to make Reggae Sumfest available there. Resorts and travel sites are to markets untouched. What’s ... pretty soon we’re going to engaging the technology. more, it is available for free,” To download the app to your said Josef Bogdanovich, chair- live in a world where everyone device, go to your Google Play or man and CEO of DownSound Apple store and search for ‘Sum- Entertainment, producers of has the power to share and experi- fest Live’, click ‘install’ and fol- Reggae Sumfest. ence“ whole scenes as if you’re low the instructions. Bogdanovich admits that, “Though The transformed Reggae this 360deg technology is transform- right there in person Sumfest kicks off in Montego ing the industry, it cannot replace Bay with a Beach Party at the Montego Bay and all the energy that going to live in a world where 360deg cameras were first com- Aqua Sol Theme Park on is a mainstay of Reggae Sumfest.” everyone has the power to share mercially used by upscale real Sunday, July 17, hosted by He noted that there will also be and experience whole scenes as if estate sites to show properties. Miss Kitty and Yanique ‘The a conventional broadcast-style you’re right there in person.” Then came Google Street” views Curvy Diva’ Barrett. The All- stream viewable on all devices Many industries have experimented which lets viewers see actual loca- White Party hits Pier 1 on (cell phones, tablets, laptops and with 360deg virtual reality technology. tions from a selected point of Tuesday, July 19; and the Sound desktops). The festival website, Sport franchises are now signing view; and now with entertain- Explosion – where anything can reggaesumfest.com, will have a 360deg content deals, allowing fans ment, 360 live cameras let persons happen – with Tony Matterhorn clickable link for persons to watch to feel like they are on the team and into a venue, behind the scenes – and Firelinks, along with the as well. in the game. In fact, the upcoming feeling as though they are right island’s top sound systems, takes The consistent evolution of tech- World Cup and Olympics Games there. place on Thursday, July 21, also at nology is speeding up access to will be broadcast in 360deg video. The hospitality sector is embrac- Pier 1. Dancehall Night revs up on YANIQUE content. Earlier this year, Mark The upcoming Democratic and ing it quickly. It is an effective way the Friday at Catherine Hall with ‘CURVY Zuckerberg, the founder of Face- Republican Conventions will also be to take people to a location and the big Reggae Night to close the DIVA’ book, said “... pretty soon we’re streaming 360deg coverage. make them feel as though they are curtains on Saturday, July 23. BARRETT HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016 3 We’re proud to be associated with this outstanding event OVER THE years, Reggae Sumfest important part of our vibrant cul- efiting local businesses in and Record CEO Mr Joe Bogdanovich has distinguished itself as one of ture. The Ministry of Tourism around resort areas. and his committed team for the the best reggae music festivals in recognises the positive impact that For this reason, the Ministry of innovative approach being taken in the world, showcasing many of events like Reggae Sumfest continue Tourism is proud to be associated organising this year’s event. Based Jamaica’s most talented artistes. to have on the tourism sector. The with this outstanding event. We on the strong line-up of local The event has developed an impec- festival continues to be a resound- remain committed to supporting artistes, I am confident that the cable reputation of excellence and ing success and remains a major the development and continuation festival will deliver on its promise has become one of the most eagerly crowd puller, which attracts numer- of Reggae Sumfest through our to provide exceptional entertain- anticipated events on the interna- ous visitors to our shores. It also marketing arm, the Jamaica Tourist ment and that it will be a very suc- tional entertainment calendar. generates significant economic Board, a major sponsor of the cessful and memorable event. Reggae represents the spirit of activity for the tourism sector by event. EDMUND C. BARTLETT the Jamaican people and is an boosting room occupancy and ben- BARTLETT I must commend DownSound Minister of Tourism Reggae Sumfest expands shuttle service EGGAE SUMFEST is granting access to ‘The Greatest Reggae Show on REarth’ with an expanded shuttle service on July 22 and 23. In addition to the services offered by return sponsor and official shuttle service provider Knutsford Express, organisers of the festival have finalised an agreement with the Jamaican Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to offer shuttle services from Kingston, Spanish Town, and Portmore to the Catherine Hall venue in Montego Bay. “Knutsford Express is a sponsor, and we are very happy and satisfied that they have again come on board. We are also delighted that JUTC is offering more transportation solu- tions to this year’s festival. The addition of the services of JUTC is particularly important for patrons who previously had difficulty going to and from the show,” said Robert Russell, deputy chairman and co-producer of Reggae Sumfest. JUTC buses will depart from Portmore Mall in Portmore, the Ward Theatre downtown, Kingston and the JUTC lay-by in Spanish Town at 5 p.m. each night. Patrons leaving from Papine will have two additional pick-up points: on the University of West Indies and University of Technology campuses. The roundtrip shuttle service being offered by the JUTC is only available pre-sold at a cost of $2,300 per night. Jamaica Urban Transit Company ACCESS POINTS buses. Patrons can access the shuttle service passes $6,000 on Friday; and on Saturday, general along with tickets to the festival at York ticket prices will be pre-sold $4,700, $5,000 Pharmacy in Kingston, Travelmania in Port- for regular, and VIP tickets are $7,500. more, and Chin Yee’s Travel Service in The transformed Reggae Sumfest kicks off Liguanea, which will specifically facilitate in Montego Bay with a Beach Party at the tertiary students. Aqua Sol Theme Park on Sunday, July 17, Tertiary students will also be offered a 10 hosted by Miss Kitty and Yanique ‘The Curvy per cent discount on Reggae Sumfest tickets Diva’ Barrett. The All-White Party hits Pier on presentation of a valid school ID. The dis- 1 on Tuesday, July 19; and the Sound Explo- counted prices are Dancehall night Friday, sion – where anything can happen – with July 22, $2,800 pre-sold; regular $3,200; and Tony Matterhorn and Firelinks along with VIP $5,400. Discounted prices for Saturday, the island’s top sound systems, takes place on Reggae Night are pre-sold $4,200, regular Thursday, July 21, also at Pier 1. Dancehall $2,500, and VIP $6,700. Night, revs up on the Friday at Catherine Festival tickets are also on sale at outlets Hall with the big Reggae Night to close the for pre-sold $3,200, regular $3,500, and VIP curtains on Saturday, July 23. Robert Russell 4 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016 CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Waterpark at the Iberostar Suites. Iberostar for the ultimate vacation EW DESTINATIONS offer the spectacular service and Fstunning surroundings of the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach & Spa Complex. Here, you will find the best in gourmet dining, spacious rooms, and a range of activities to please every interest. Whether you’re seeking a luxurious, roman- tic getaway in an adults-only set- ting at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall or looking to please every member of the family at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites or Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, you’ll enjoy the all-inclusive vacation of your dreams. Sparkling pools, stun- ning beaches, challenging golf ,and a relaxing spa, it’s all here and wait- Pool shot at Iberostar.