Red Stripe provides an enriching Jamaican experience for International Sweepstakes winners

The chance of winning an all-expense paid vacation to Jamaica for Reggae Sumfest 2019 was the hope shared among entrants in the Red Stripe International sweepstakes competition.

The beer manufacturer has continued to entice its foreign markets by showcasing authentic Jamaican culture and even more so, giving consumers an opportunity to experience it.

This dream was fully realised when five lucky winners – one hailing from the UK and five from Australia – learnt of their success in the competition.

What started out as a regular date night at Tracks and Records in London saw the UK winners, Golda Pearson and Royston Hope, entering a raffle, which afforded them their win. For the Australians, the sweepstakes was awarded to bar owners who saw an increase in sales and consumers who posted the most interesting photos of a Red Stripe drink coaster on social media.

Bar owners Nathan Lamont and Ben Rickman managed to sell over 200 kegs of beer within two months while the social media photo competition saw persons posting creative photos such as Brady Chandler, who scuba-dived for a worthy picture of the branded coaster.

Though the trip was focused on highlighting Jamaica’s musical heritage at Reggae Sumfest, the winners were given far more than they expected. The group, which arrived on Wednesday, July 17, along with their guests, stayed at the Half Moon hotel with much anticipation of what the trip had in store.

“It was important for us to present more than just an opportunity to attend Reggae Sumfest 2019 to our international guests. Red Stripe is a major supporter of local music, but we are even more supportive of Jamaican culture and local industries surrounding this. To have them partake in all aspects of the culture is the most meaningful experience we can offer,” stated Reshima Kelly, junior brand manager for Red Stripe and Innovations.

The group was first treated to dinner at Gloria’s Seafood in downtown Kingston before heading to Montego Bay for their first night’s rest. A day of excursions followed as the group visited the Doctor’s Cave Beach before doing a night tour of the RoseHall Great House, renowned for the thriller tales of Annie Palmer. Another day saw guests on a Chukka tour inclusive of ATV riding, power snorkelling, and a catamaran cruise, but the delight of the experience was felt in the Montego Bay Craft Market visit, where they had an opportunity to interact with locals.

“It was extremely fun and exciting to go into the local craft market. I am of the belief that you cannot appreciate another person’s culture without an understanding of who the people are and what they are about. It was interesting for me as a Guyanese seeing the similarities between our islands. The people are hopeful, though, in spite of the obvious challenges,” said Golda Pearson, UK winner.

Amid the excursion and the excitement at Reggae Sumfest, the visitors managed to use the opportunity to relax and bask in the simplicity of the experience – days spent at the beach, time spent with their significant other or even leveraging new friendships in beautiful Jamaica.