By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
OWNERS OF restaurants on Montego Bay's 'Hip Strip' are reporting a surge in business as Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest gains momentum. They are thanking the organisers of the festival for significantly boosting the tourism capital's summer trade.
"We owe Sumfest a lot," said Derrick Stephenson, president of the Gloucester Avenue Restau-rants' Association (GARA) and co-owner of the Native Restaurant.
"We have seen a tremendous rise in business leading up to the start of Sumfest. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, business has been brisk and all along the strip we can see people walking and shopping."
SHOWCASE JAMAICAN FOOD
"One of the greatest opportunities we, as restaurateurs, have now is the chance to showcase Jamaican food," Mr. Stephenson said. "This chance is priceless and we pledge to support the organisers in gratitude for what they have done for us."
There are at least 15 restaurants on the Hip Strip which is a magnet for visitors to Montego Bay. On Monday, Mr. Robert Russell, a director of Summer-fest Promotions, organisers of Sumfest, projected a US$2.5 million (J$150 million) injection into various sectors of the second city as a direct spin-off from the reggae festival.
Horace Peterkin, vice president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), told The Gleaner yesterday that he was in full support of festivals of this kind because of the direct impact they had on the community.
NICE BUZZ
"It is a very effective way of spreading the tourism dollar," said Mr. Peterkin," adding that "there is a nice buzz around the city and the organisers should be proud of their efforts. The JHTA is in full support of the event and the hotels are promoting the event within the various properties."
Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, with the beer company as its main sponsor, kicked off Friday night with a Beach Party at Cornwall Beach and will conclude Sunday morning with the second of two international nights.
