MONTEGO BAY, St James Music Republic, a newly established company dedicated to staging large festivals across the Caribbean, has indicated a willingness to participate in Government’s proposed entertainment initiative dubbed ’90 Days of Summer’.

Last month, Junior Tourism and Entertainment Minister Damion Crawford announced plans to introduce the promotion which is aimed at attracting tourists to the island during the months May to August.

“We are excited about the concept and are willing to sit down and speak with Minister Crawford to see how best we can fit in,” said Montego Bay-based Loyal Haylett, a director in Music Republic .

“Music Republic’s vision is to bring together the Caribbean’s leading industry professionals to design and produce large-scale festivals and concerts, as well as smaller-scale musical events and ‘Broadway style’ shows.”

In July Music Republic successfully staged its inaugural concert, Rock and Reggae Festival 2013, in the Cayman Islands which featured fast-rising reggae singer Chronixx and seasoned

reggae ambassadors Third World, internationally acclaimed Air Supply and Brave Yesterday.

Haylett noted that the company, whose directors also include Ian Hemming, managing director and CEO; Robert Stewart, director of technical productions; and Damian McGann, director of planning, is expected to put on two other events before the end of this year.

He was, however, unable to say the nature of the event his company is willing to stage in the proposed 90 Days of Summer, saying that he is waiting until there is dialogue between the ministry of tourism and entertainment and his company.

According to Crawford, a committee has already been established for the promotion, adding that persons are being encouraged to make submissions regarding the initiative, which is scheduled to be officially launched on November 15.

He argued that the country’s culture should be used to attract persons especially in the summer months when visitor arrivals are low.

“So, we are seeking to define Jamaica as the place to be for the 90 days of summer from the 15th of May to the 15th of August. It is not expected for individuals to be here for the entire 90 days, but you should be able to choose weeks within those 90 days and be able to come for those weeks,” he explained.

Expected outcomes of this initiative include: increased visitor arrivals in the off-peak period an increased tourist spending outside.