SPIRITZ OF HANOVER, HOPEWELL’S REGGAE VILLAGE NOW OPENED!

The community of Hopewell in Hanover can now embrace Spiritz of Hanover (SOH), the first entertainment project under a long-term development plan to create a reggae village which will transform the western community into a serious tourist attraction.

Volunteers work on the area surrounding the Hanover Municipal Corporation building at Bustamante Square in Lucea on Labour Day.

Located along the coastline, 15 km west of the tourism capital of Montego Bay, Spiritz of Hanover, which consists of a gourmet restaurant, sports bar, and gaming lounge, is expected to provide visitors and residents with a place to eat, drink and play, between Negril and Montego Bay, the operators say.

Key tourism players and government officials, including Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook, Member of Parliament Juliet Holness, and mayor of Montego Bay Homer Davis, participated in the formal opening Friday evening.

The visionaries behind SOH are Jamaican-born businessman Jeffrey Smith and his childhood friend, award-winning entrepreneur Dr Karren Dunkley, who is an internationally recognized educator, speaker and leadership coach. Recognizing the potential of Hopewell as an excellent location prime for development, the proprietors have engaged the private and public sector to drive the initiative.

“SOH is being positioned to energize Hopewell and grow the local economy. The long-term goal is to collaborate with the Hopewell community stakeholders and Government to create a reggae village which boasts a unique “Historical Hut” of Hanover. As a key feature of the Reggae Village, the Historical Hut will showcase the history of and interesting facts about the parish,” Smith said.

“We will develop the necessary tourism infrastructure in collaboration with our community partners and Government, so that local visitors and tourists will enjoy the rustic charm of Hopewell. This initiative will create jobs that will drive the local economy. With vintage reggae as the musical backdrop, local vendors will showcase traditional food, and provide a great cultural experience with interactive highlights, high-quality performing arts, and crafts,” he explained.