ST JAMES, Jamaica — Fifteen years ago, Garth Ramsay, now 65 years old, saw a gap in Jamaica’s tourism sector that could become a golden opportunity. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a clear vision, he decided to invest in the development of tourism entertainment on the island.

It was then that he partnered with Ho-Chi-Min Castillo, an expert in tourism entertainment and training of hotel talent, whose experience and skills perfectly complemented Ramsay’s initiative to form Hah-R-Mony Entertainment Limited, a Montego Bay-based company which commenced the provision of entertainment inside numerous hotels for the past 15 years.

Together, they combined their knowledge and passion, investing not only resources, but also time and effort in what has now become a sought after tourism entertainment company in the country.

“From the beginning, the mission was clear: to raise the quality of entertainment in Jamaica’s hotels and resorts, creating unforgettable experiences for visitors and professional development opportunities for local talent,” Ramsay said.

“Through rigorous artistic and business training programmes, the company has trained hundreds of young people, who today shine on the stages of the main tourist destinations in the Caribbean,” he added.

According to a release, Ramsay noted that the impact of their work has not only strengthened the industry, but has also transformed the perception of entertainment in the country.

“Today, after 15 years of hard work, the credibility of the company in the market is optimal, and its legacy continues to grow.  We have demonstrated that, with vision, determination and commitment, it is possible to transform an industry and generate a lasting impact on the economy and culture of a nation,” Ramsay noted.

He recalled that hotels were going up fast and “we had to be keeping pace with them as it relates to our entertainment offerings”.

Ramsay said that along with partner Castello, Hah-R-Mony has today created a quality entertainment package for all the hotels that “have hired our services”, creating and ensuring guest satisfaction and “more demands for our services”.

“Ours was about showcasing an authentic Jamaican experience while fostering local talent. We were about creating a level of professionalism where we were viewed as being reliable and there night in and night out…on time and with a variety package for our guests.”

He added that the variety offered, which includes a live band, dancers and other cultural acts, had to be close to being consistently perfect and that Hah-R-Mony had to have workers on standby “where someone could immediately fill in in the event of an emergency”.

“In the sporting world we would call that ‘having a deep bench’ just in case someone is ill and can’t show up to work. We had to keep pace with the times…no excuses,” he explained.

— Horace Hines