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Zipline Over Dunn’s River Tour officially opens

Published:Wednesday | October 16, 2019 | 1:56 AMCarl Gilchrist - Hospitality Jamaica Writer
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang (forth left) assisted by Minister of Labour, Shahine Robinson (forth right) and Opposition Spokesman on Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill (third right) in cutting the ribbon to officially launch the Chukka Zipline over Dunn’s River Falls Tour. Others from left: Chukka’s John Byles, Paola Byles, Marc Melville, Urban Development Corporation’s Heather Pinnock and SADCo’s Joey Issa share in the occasion.
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Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang (forth left) assisted by Minister of Labour, Shahine Robinson (forth right) and Opposition Spokesman on Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill (third right) in cutting the ribbon to officially launch the Chukka Zipline over Dunn’s River Falls Tour. Others from left: Chukka’s John Byles, Paola Byles, Marc Melville, Urban Development Corporation’s Heather Pinnock and SADCo’s Joey Issa share in the occasion.

Attractions at Dunn’s River Falls and Park in Ocho Rios just got a bit more diversified with the official opening of the Chukka’s Zipline Over Dunn’s River Falls tour last Friday.

In operation since November 2017 and proving to be a hit with visitors to the park, the ‘Zipline Over Dunn’s River Falls Tour’ adds to several other exhilarating experiences available at the famous venue, according to Heather Pinnock, Urban Development Corporation’s (UDC) general manager.

Speaking at the launch, Pinnock said the partnership with Chukka, St Ann Development Company (SADCo) and the UDC Group signifies three main things:

“That tourism in Jamaica continues to hold its importance as a major driver in economic growth; the recognition that our market has become more sophisticated and constantly ask the question, ‘What else? What more?’

“In joining with Chukka, we answer this question by diversifying our guest experience even further with the addition of our splash slide in 2017. Dunn’s River is now more than just an exhilarating experience of climbing our world-famous falls. It also includes a beach, the activities in central gardens, the quiet lush nature of tranquility gardens and, of course, now the adrenalin rush of the Chukka Zipline.”

Pinnock added that the partnership reminds us of “how very big and important the brand Dunn’s River is.”

She added that during the coming months, persons can expect to see and feel the renewed spirit of Dunn’s River Falls and Park through its “brand refresh” which is currently under way.

Marc Melville, director at Chukka Caribbean Adventures, hailed the partnership, saying the big deal about the tour is not that it’s a zipline but rather, a zipline over Dunn’s River Falls.

“We’ve been here for a while, we’ve got some great advice and listened to a lot of good things. It’s a big joy to open this tour in partnership with UDC and SADCo,” Melville said.

“This place is not just a special attraction, but it has a beautiful environmental footprint, so one of the challenges to open this tour here was to make sure it was an environmentally sound investment and development. We want to thank UDC and SADCo, both board chairmen for their support and partnership, and we appreciate it.”

Meanwhile, Manager of Chukka Foundation Sheona Muschett took the opportunity to offer some assistance to the White River Marine Association in its effort to preserve marine life in the White River area.

Muschett handed over a cheque for $150,000, which was collected by Belinda Collier-Morrow of the association and Noel Francis, president of the White River Fishermen Association.

In thanking the foundation for the cheque, Collier-Morrow disclosed that efforts by the marine association is bearing fruit as there was a noticeable improvement in marine life in the designated area.