WITH THE recent acquisition of the Morgan's Harbour Hotel by UGI boss Neville Blythe, the area seems poised to be developed as one of Jamaica's premier entertainment hotbeds.
During last week's launch of the 'Heineken Startime 16' series, Blythe said that he plans to develop Morgan's Harbour into a prime entertainment area, as entertainment needs much more national attention.
"We have failing manufacturing, lucrative tourism, but we ignore entertainment," he told the gathering at The Quad nightclub, New Kingston. "More of the private sector should make a meaningful contribution to entertainment. That is why I have bought Morgan's Harbour Hotel, with the view to developing it as an entertainment centre and I want Heineken Startime to be the first show there."
According to the sales and marketing team of the Morgan's Harbour Hotel, they are expecting the property to be a premier spot for a variety of entertainment and business events. Major stage shows, whether dancehall, reggae, calypso or otherwise, are all in the plans.
Nina Chang, sales and marketing manager for the hotel, told The Gleaner that the development is for both local and international clients.
"We are trying to create the premier food and beverage entertainment spot in Kingston," she said. As you know, it is the only hotel in Kingston with a beach and we will capitalise on that. We will be having several resort type activities, such as beach party nights, cruises, cruise dinners and tours. For that we have a 36-seater boat already."
Presently the hotel is on two and a half acres, but they acquired 14 more acres to hold the entertainment facility, which will feature a stage of international quality. Other attractions include a 1000-square- foot state-of-the-art business and conference centre, the re-opening of the '1692' disco, the construction of a wedding chapel and renovation of the marina.
"Added to this we will have personalised services for people, membership cards and special clubs. The property will be open for all types of stage shows, no matter what the size. For accommodations we have 60 rooms now, but we are looking to put up 200 more. It is a very rich property and has an atmosphere for everything," she said.
