IMPROVED FACILITY SEEN AS IMMERSIVE JAMAICAN EXPERIENCE
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann, October 6, 2025
The Sandals Foundation is inviting hoteliers, cruise and tour business operators in and around Ocho Rios to choose Pineapple Craft Market as a ‘must-visit’ location for guests to enjoy an authentic Jamaican experience.
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts invited some 50 tourism stakeholders, business leaders, policy makers, and investors to tour the newly refurbished craft market and witness firsthand the improved facilities and offerings of its 110 vendors.
In recent times, the North Coast Times has reported that craft traders at various markets in the Ocho Rios area have complained about the poor state of the facilities and the lack of sufficient visitors or shoppers, from hotels as well as cruise ships.
(Pineapple Craft Market carver, Yvonne Skeffery, showcases her talent live for the specially invited guests at the Pineapple Craft Market Showcase.)
According to the Foundation, the event bringing travel trade and business leaders to the Pineapple Craft Market was designed to showcase the future of what craft markets could be — an immersive experience of Brand Jamaica.
There was a live performance by a Kumina band and dancers in addition to board games, as well as a variety of live craft making, including jewelry making, wood carving, and painting. There was also basket weaving and crochet on display.
“We want tourism operators to see this space as a ‘Must Stop’ for guests, whether they are staying at a hotel or spending a few hours with us from a cruise ship,” said Karen Zacca, Operations Director of the Sandals Foundation. “The Pineapple Craft Market is a great hub for the continued development of our creative and cultural industries, offering authentic Jamaican food, drink, games, and products.”
(Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Delano Seiveright , 2nd left, embraces the President of the Pineapple Craft Traders Association, Clare Bruce, as he enjoys a cool coconut, Joy Roberts, Executive Director, Jamaica Vacations (JamVac), looks on.)
The Sandals Foundation says it has, over the years, invested more than JMD $3,000,000 in key infrastructure upgrades as well as capacity building of its vendors and artisans to improve the visitor experience.
President of the Pineapple Craft Traders Association, Clare Bruce, expressed joy in the development.
“The Pineapple Craft market is so blessed to have such wonderful organizations invest in our continued development. This event and all the work that is being done will give us the spotlight that we have been hoping for, giving us the opportunity to continue doing what we love while being able to support our families comfortably,” she said.
Some of the guests on the show day for Pineapple Craft Market, Ocho Rios, from left, Gary Holgate, Hotel Manager at Sandals Ochi; Lyndsay Isaacs, Regional Public Relations Manager at Sandals Ochi; Vana Taylor second Vice President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), and Lloyd Hinds, TVJ.
Anthony Robinson, a 15-year craft veteran and carver, said: “It has been a joy being able to produce crafts for tourists and Jamaicans alike, and we are excited about being able to continue to showcase our work for many years to come.”
The market, originally at Pineapple Grove, was established in 1978 and has since served as a creative hub for artisans in and around Ocho Rios.
The Showcase, which was attended by, among others, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Delano Seiveright; Vice President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Vana Taylor; representatives from the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), Jamaica Vacations Limited (JamVac), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Port Authority, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), hoteliers, tour operators, and others were encouraged to see the potential and explore opportunities for their guests to enjoy.
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