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Over $300M in circulation last weekend as Negril partied
Brandon Allwood Observer staff reporter allwoodb@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
On Thursday last week Negril became the entertainment hub of the island as the Negril Party Weekend took over the tourist town for the staging of the Red Stripe's Temptation Isle (RTI) and Appleton's Treasure Island. It is estimated that more than $300million circulated in the western city through the duration of the party series as thousands flocked to party, and indulge in niceties provided by the island's two largest liquor companies, in competing efforts.
This patron enjoys herself at an event during the Negril party Weekend. (Photo: Alan Lewin)
Andrew Pryce, Wray and Newphew's communication manager, said that it was definitely a good weekend for not only Appleton, but for the entire Negril community.
"The weekend was an economic powerhouse," Pryce commented. His company, through its Appleton Jamaica Rum brand, shelled out "in excess of $10million" in cash support for the weekend.
"Our event at the Waterpark alone, I think attracted more than 4,000 people. Our season bands, which cost $10,000 each, were sold out everywhere, and we did 2,500 of them," he said, before adding that his company has plans to make representation to have Negril zoned, so that the events can continue past the 2:00 am limit.
"When you look at the benefits," Pryce argued, "to the taxi man, the pan chicken man, the hotels, the owners of the venues, the bus companies, the security companies, the weekend I think provides more economic benefits for the community, than Reggae Sumfest does. And so we're going to the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of National Security to try and get the area zoned and have some consideration for the parties to go on past the 2:00am legal cut-off time."
While the traffic situation had patrons and regular Negril residents pulling teeth, Pryce says that it was better than previous years.
That sentiment was echoed by head of Absolute Entertainment, Alex Chin. Chin's company hosts the Red Stripe Temptation Isle, and he says that he remembers that at the 2007 staging of his event, that traffic was at a stand still.
As for the efforts of the controversial Negril Events and Planning committee, Chin says he gives it a "six out of 10".
"It's an idea that can work, and needs some fine tuning," Chin contended.
Chin and Appleton had to fork out more than 2.5million dollars to the hastily-formed committee, which comprises representatives from the parish council, police, the environmental community, and the hotel sector.
Chin said his event cost about "$40-50 million" to host, but he said it's more than worth it.
"RTI was great, except for the rain," the party promoter said.
Rasha Abott, manager for the event, confirmed that there were about 4000 patrons at each RTI event, and this was after their 3,500 season band tickets were sold-out.
Both Pryce and Chin were resolute that the Negril Party Weekend will be taking over Negril next year.
Pryce said that his company would look at the pros and cons of sponsoring the event, and see how they could make the partnership they have with the party promoters, and Chin commented that his event will be back next year, taking it to newer, and higher heights.
Brandon Allwood Observer staff reporter allwoodb@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
On Thursday last week Negril became the entertainment hub of the island as the Negril Party Weekend took over the tourist town for the staging of the Red Stripe's Temptation Isle (RTI) and Appleton's Treasure Island. It is estimated that more than $300million circulated in the western city through the duration of the party series as thousands flocked to party, and indulge in niceties provided by the island's two largest liquor companies, in competing efforts.
This patron enjoys herself at an event during the Negril party Weekend. (Photo: Alan Lewin)
Andrew Pryce, Wray and Newphew's communication manager, said that it was definitely a good weekend for not only Appleton, but for the entire Negril community.
"The weekend was an economic powerhouse," Pryce commented. His company, through its Appleton Jamaica Rum brand, shelled out "in excess of $10million" in cash support for the weekend.
"Our event at the Waterpark alone, I think attracted more than 4,000 people. Our season bands, which cost $10,000 each, were sold out everywhere, and we did 2,500 of them," he said, before adding that his company has plans to make representation to have Negril zoned, so that the events can continue past the 2:00 am limit.
"When you look at the benefits," Pryce argued, "to the taxi man, the pan chicken man, the hotels, the owners of the venues, the bus companies, the security companies, the weekend I think provides more economic benefits for the community, than Reggae Sumfest does. And so we're going to the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of National Security to try and get the area zoned and have some consideration for the parties to go on past the 2:00am legal cut-off time."
While the traffic situation had patrons and regular Negril residents pulling teeth, Pryce says that it was better than previous years.
That sentiment was echoed by head of Absolute Entertainment, Alex Chin. Chin's company hosts the Red Stripe Temptation Isle, and he says that he remembers that at the 2007 staging of his event, that traffic was at a stand still.
As for the efforts of the controversial Negril Events and Planning committee, Chin says he gives it a "six out of 10".
"It's an idea that can work, and needs some fine tuning," Chin contended.
Chin and Appleton had to fork out more than 2.5million dollars to the hastily-formed committee, which comprises representatives from the parish council, police, the environmental community, and the hotel sector.
Chin said his event cost about "$40-50 million" to host, but he said it's more than worth it.
"RTI was great, except for the rain," the party promoter said.
Rasha Abott, manager for the event, confirmed that there were about 4000 patrons at each RTI event, and this was after their 3,500 season band tickets were sold-out.
Both Pryce and Chin were resolute that the Negril Party Weekend will be taking over Negril next year.
Pryce said that his company would look at the pros and cons of sponsoring the event, and see how they could make the partnership they have with the party promoters, and Chin commented that his event will be back next year, taking it to newer, and higher heights.