NBC ‘Girls Trip’ turns Ocho Rios into global stage for Brand Jamaica

The spotlight of American morning television landed squarely on Jamaica’s north coast as NBC’s Today spinoff “Jenna & Sheinelle” brought its “Girls Trip” broadcast to Sandals Dunn’s River, delivering two days of sunshine, star power, and strategic tourism promotion.

Transitioning from the broadcast’s impact to the venue itself, for Sandals Resorts International Chairman Allan Stewart, the choice of venue was intentional and symbolic. “Sandals Dunn’s River is what we call Sandals 2.0… a real, true reflection of what Sandals represents today in 2026,” Stewart said. “It’s an amazing representation of the soul of what Jamaica is… I couldn’t be happier.”

Moreover, as highlighted by Jamaican-born, New York-based entertainment publicist Anthony “ER Guru” Turner, the live broadcast — which featured Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett and Jamaican icons including Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Sheryl Lee Ralph — reached millions of viewers across the United States, showcasing not just luxury travel but Jamaican culture at its finest.

Building on this, Mayor of St. Ann Michael Belnavis underscored the significance of the moment.

“Millions of folks all over the Diaspora… will be listening in,” he said. “We’re excited to be right in the heart of that right here in Ocho Rios to experience who we are as a nation.”

In terms of logistics, the production itself was no small feat. According to executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones, nearly 50 crew members traveled across the island to capture Jamaica’s essence. “It’s been a wonderful time to be able to bring my show back to Jamaica, which has meant the world to me,” said Parkinson-Jones, who was born in Kingston, the Jamaican capital.

Turning to the broader impact, Bartlett called the broadcast part of a wider recovery and growth strategy. “This is a big activation for us as a destination,” he said. “The fact that we are back — Hurricane Melissa bent us a little, but it didn’t break us. “The resilience of the Jamaican people is evident all around,” he added.

Highlighting individual perspectives, Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph spoke passionately about her lifelong advocacy for Jamaica. “It’s a very easy thing to do because I love Jamaica,” she said. “Brand Jamaica, yeah, that’s me.”

“Today was great for Brand Jamaica, marketing tourism to millions in the USA with Shaggy, Sean Paul and Sheryl Lee Ralph,” he said. Turner said “Girls Trip” delivered more than entertainment — it reinforced Jamaica’s resilience after Hurricane Melissa.

Source: Caribbean life