Sun | Dec 28, 2025

It's now Open Secret

Published:Sunday | May 23, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Hotel manager of Secrets, Delwin rochester (left) and Jamaica Tourist Board Deputy Director of LTourism David Shields are caught on camera at the official opening of Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St. James in Montego Bay - Photos by Janet Silvera
Vinette Chisholm (left) with friends, Scotiabank's Bruce Bowen and his wife, Suzann. - Photos by Janet Silvera
From left: Travel Port's Sandra Salem and Debra Lee and Nicole Haughton enjoy their drinks.
From left: Harold Williams and the Flow crew, Andrew Fazio, Denise Williams and Michael Looktong, are also out to celebrate.
From left: Carlos Moleon, Israel Carmet, Sherika Dare and Niall Sheehy show their best sides.
From left: Local architect of Secrets, Clifton yap, and the resort's financiers, National Commercial Bank's Corporate Banking General Manager Marjorie Seeberan and the bank's face in the west, Brian Boothe, talk business at the official opening.
TurnKey Production's Walter Elmore (left) in conversation with Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry and wife Dawn.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU: The secret is out! Montego Bay's newest resorts, Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James, are the masters of authentic Jamaican parties.

Surpassing all expectations at the official opening ceremony at Montego Freeport in the tourism capital on Wednesday, May 12, the Spanish-Jamaican partnership, proved, without a doubt, that Latin heat, combined with rich cultural heritage, results in a forceful and intoxicating prescription.

Sending a clear message that this wasn't the tourist version of Jamaica, the Secrets resort team showcased the best of Jamaica in music, dance, food and hospitality at what they labelled 'Official Opening Ceremony' but what others have described as the party of the century.

Taking the tourism industry like a storm would really be an understatement as some seven minutes of fireworks on Wednesday night was a signal that the Secret was out.

Through the use of Nyabingi drummers, who reportedly brought tears to the eyes of one guest, Maypole dancing reminiscent of the English influence on the island's culture, the Secrets team showcased the awesome Ashe, some incomparable steel-pan players and reggae As if this was not enough boasting and celebrating the vibrancy of the Jamaican people, the coconut man, with his machete, and the peanut vendor, with the cart, coupled with food cooked with love, stated unequivocally: Real Jamaica sells, not the plastic version.

The opening ceremony saw people from all corners of the world celebrating this milestone, and climaxed JAPEX 2010.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com