A shopping experience for passengers

Nagra Plunkett, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

PHOTOS BY CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Flights of Fantasy employee Paula Dixon, serves one of her first customers.

MBJ AIRPORTS Limited, operators of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has integrated a dynamic shopping experience for passengers as they undertake a modernisation and expansion programme at the facility.

The new eastern concourse, which was officially opened by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson almost two weeks ago, features 12 boarding gates, a string of commercial outlets and spacious waiting areas for passengers.

The 13 businesses inside the new area include Air Margaritaville, Flights of Fantasy, Island Creations, Reggae Vibes and Cool Gear.

Flights of Fantasy specialises in sterling silver, fashion jewellery and accessories. The new store is the second Flights of Fantasy outlet at the airport and its daily operations are manned by Veena and Janki Chandiram.

"The accessories range from handbags, belts and hair accessories, things that we like to call fun stuff," said co-owner Denny Chandiram.

Charmaine Birthwright, supervisor at Island Creations, says the business is all about art and craft items, as well as souvenirs. It showcases paintings, sculptures and ceramic pieces from local artists.

Reggae Vibes Assistant Manager, Jasmine Cameron (left), checks the size of a T-shirt for a customer. Reggae Vibes is one of the 13 new units along the recently-opened eastern concourse at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay	Cadene Ewan (right), of Cool Gear, quotes the price for an embossed leather photo album to customer Myrtle Gentles. A part of Cool Company, Cool Gear is one of the 13 new units along the eastern concourse

Reggae Vibes is described as the news magazine, souvenir gifts and T-shirt concession, which is a subsidiary of Distant Enterprises Limited in Kingston.

"We operate gift shops at Sangster International and Norman Manley airports, as well as the Half Moon Shopping Village at Rose Hall," explained owner Lloyd Distant. "There are three other shops ­ Casa De Xaymaca, Body Vibes and Reggae Vibes, in the departure lounge here at Sangster and we have been here for the past 10 years."