ST ANN, Jamaica — As A Taste of Reggae Sumfest prepares to make its highly anticipated stop in St Ann, Mayor Michael Belnavis has declared the resort town Jamaica’s entertainment capital underscoring the significance of the event to the parish’s growing cultural and economic footprint.

“Ocho Rios has really become the entertainment capital of Jamaica. I mean we just had Vacae Weekend, we host Best Weekend Ever, and so A Taste of Reggae Sumfest’s decision to come to the parish underscores that. People are quickly realising that St Ann is the place to be, it’s easily accessed from north, south, east and west of the island, and the entertainment zone declared for Plantation Cove means you don’t have to worry about any police coming to lock off the event for noise,” he said.

The staging marks a major moment for Reggae Sumfest as it expands its footprint, bringing its signature energy and global appeal to St Ann. Strong demand is expected, driven in part by the historic Gaza/Gully showcase, featuring Vybz Kartel and Mavado, on July 18. It is expected to generate meaningful economic activity across the parish, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, craft vendors, and other small businesses.

“We know that when it trickles down the economic impact will be significant, because people are going to come for the show, but they’ll want to stay for the experience. They’re going to want to hang out for a few days, visit the tourists hot spots across the parish, they’re going to be booking hotel stays, they’re bars, the restaurants, the craft markets, they’re going to visit the supermarkets to buy things for their Airbnb. It’s going to be great,” Belnavis said.

Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of DownSound Entertainment, producers of the event, said the decision to take the staging to St Ann reflects the festival’s ability to adapt while maintaining its global standard.

“This year is about adapting and delivering at the highest level. A Taste of Reggae Sumfest allows us to bring the full energy of the brand into a new space while still creating a world-class experience for fans,” he said.

“Our largest event in Ocho Rios was the Buju/Beres event and we have evaluated this and we anticipate this to be much larger, and so that’s something we’re looking forward to,” Belnavis shared. “The experience the Sumfest team has managed to construct this year will be one of the biggest in Jamaica’s history. We will have two of dancehall’s most legendary artistes set to join forces in an epic showcase of undeniable talent.”

Bogdanovich added that the moment speaks to the broader cultural significance of the festival.

Beyond its economic impact, A Taste of Reggae Sumfest represents a powerful cultural moment. As an extension of the globally recognised brand, the staging reinforces Jamaica’s position as a leader in music and cultural expression, offering both locals and visitors a curated taste of the energy, creativity, and identity that define the island.