WEST OFFICE:
Airbnb stakeholders operating through the Jamaica Home Sharing Association (JHSA) say they are ready to capitalize on the return of live, in-person Reggae Sumfest to Montego Bay in July.
After a two-year hiatus caused by a pandemic, the music festival returns with four nights of scintillating entertainment from July 20-23 and will feature a host of big names in the industry, headlined by dancehall prodigy Shenseea.
Already, without providing figures, the country’s Airbnb sector is reporting a stable level of reservations ahead of the summer event.
“For the summer, we are seeing significant growth and high occupancy rates. And for Reggae Sumfest, many Airbnbs in and around Montego Bay are already booked, and hosts are also maintaining destination insurance,” said Sherie-Ann Anderson, President of JHSA.
She said the Airbnb sector is growing, now reaching over 5,000, and they are strategically located across the island.
She added that the industry has always benefited from Sumfest and other similar events in Jamaica.
“Reggae Sumfest is an authentic Jamaican experience; some tourists expand this by booking an authentic stay at an Airbnb property,” she added.
ENTERTAINMENT
Anderson shared that with the tourism and entertainment sectors fully reopening, Airbnb hosts remain vigilant and continue to maintain their enhanced cleaning protocol.
In Negril, Westmoreland, players in the tourism sector are preparing to embrace the wave that will come with the music festival.
“In the past we have had people staying here and driving. We have also benefited from people coming for Sumfest, spending a few days in Montego Bay and then descending to Negril, before returning home,” said Richard Wallace, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce. the gleaner.
“We’re looking forward to that little bump that comes with Sumfest,” he said. “I don’t know how big it will be this year, but from what we see it will be a welcoming experience.”
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