Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios, St Ann. - File

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

The Kingston-based Visions of the Caribbean Limited (VOC) has launched a DVD on Ocho Rios in an effort to help promote the resort as a prime vacation destination and cruise-ship venue.

The 35-minute interactive disc, which took two-and-a-half years to complete, offers glimpses of entertainment, music, art, attractions, food, sport, history and information on what to do in Ocho Rios and the wider parish of St Ann.

"The project was driven by vision and passion and it took a lot of faith and prayers. We see it as a win-win situation wherein Ocho Rios and tourism as a whole are getting exposure," said Trevor Gunning, technical director of VOC, who, along with Ava-Gail Gardiner and former bank and insurance executive, Neville Parkinson, directs the company.

Guest speaker at the launch, Zachary Harding, deputy director of tourism, applauded the move by VOC, saying Jamaica needed more persons like the directors of the company.

"I'm really proud they have completed this project," Harding said.

"The DVD captures the physical product. The best way for a story to be told is through video. This is exactly what we need," he added.

Production financing

Harding went on to say he was committed to working with the team to help raise finances for the production of the next video, expected to be on Montego Bay and western Jamaica.

President of the Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Vana Taylor, said the association had used the DVD in promotions held in Florida, London and Jamaica and the responses had been positive.

The company's main focus is to explore the rich array of cultural experiences in the Caribbean and make this content available to audiences around the world.

Another primary goal of the company is to foster cooperation and integration within the Caribbean and to promote the region's greatest assets - its people.

The DVD is the first of what is proposed to be a series of multi-media travelogues or travel guides featuring tourism destinations across Jamaica.

- Carl Gilchrist