MONTEGO BAY, St James — Encouraged by tourists already taking photos of the 750-foot-long Reggae and Dancehall Wall of Fame mural, tourism and business stakeholders are confident it will be a boost for Montego Bay.

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable interest in the wall, which surrounds Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, the venue for Reggae Sumfest. Visitors, in particular cruise ship passengers, have been seen admiring the artwork as they make their way from the Freeport cruise ship terminal into the city centre. Others who appear to be hotel guests have also been seen snapping photos with the colourful wall in the background. A wheelchair-bound woman was among them.

President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce Oral Heaven anticipates the wall will become increasingly popular and the entire city will benefit.

“The business community certainly will benefit. It will bring more tourists to the area and what happens now when you add that attraction, the business people down that side in Catherine Hall — MegaMart, Island Grill, the cook shops along that road — will benefit,” Heaven told the Jamaica Observer.

“The idea is to get the tourists out there. Yes, we love the all-inclusive concept but we need to have the tourists experience the real Jamaica, the real Jamaican culture, Jamaican food and the Jamaican people,” he continued.

Heaven believes visitors drawn to the wall will likely want to explore other sections of the city.

“The bus will carry them into Sam Sharpe Square, they’ll walk the historic buildings, walk the whole area there and they can take them to the Wall of Fame,” he suggested.

The chamber president also spoke of potential job-creating opportunities that could come with the Wall of Fame.

“There can be tour guides too who, while they walk, can tell them about each person on the wall and their contributions to reggae, dancehall, and to business,” he suggested.

There is a plan to further enhance the area with flowers, a walkway and other amenities so that visitors can have a wholesome experience when they stop by to admire the murals.

The wall, which bears easily recognisable images of reggae and dancehall icons, has received high praise from senior strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright. He hailed the work done by the Downsound Entertainment team in spearheading the project.

“The Reggae and Dancehall Wall of Fame mural at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, developed and inspired under the visionary leadership of Joe Bogdanovich, is an enhancement to Montego Bay’s tourism product,” Seiveright told the Observer.

“Featuring reggae and dancehall legends such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Sean Paul, the mural not only celebrates Jamaica’s rich musical heritage but also serves as a unique cultural attraction,” he continued.

He pointed to the multiple roles the structure plays.

“This artistic effort beautifies Montego Bay while creating a lasting tribute to the icons who have shaped Jamaica’s global influence in music. By honouring these legends, the Wall of Fame strengthens Jamaica’s identity as a cultural and creative destination, enriching visitor experience and boosting cultural tourism,” said Seiveright.

Since early 2024 Downsound Entertainment has enlisted several visual artists — mainly spray painters or hyperrealism muralists — to make the project a reality. Greats immortalised on the wall include Bob Marley, Beenie Man, Chronixx, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Shaggy, and many more.

The late vice-chairman of Downsound Entertainment Robert Russell oversaw the project up to his death a few weeks ago and, as a tribute, his image has been added to the wall.