Hoteliers across Antigua and Barbuda are being called upon to invest more in the country’s annual summer festival – Carnival.
The minister responsible for the yearly festival Daryll Matthew made the call on state television yesterday.
Matthew said many hotels benefit from the hosting of the event with increased occupancy during what would normally be a slow period within the tourism sector.
The minister said many hotels are doing well, which also benefits the country and is a sign of confidence in the twin-island destination.
However, he pointed out that events like cricket and Carnival attract visitors to Antigua and Barbuda, and hoteliers should support them.
“And so, when we go to a hotel and we say, listen, can you sponsor Queen of Carnival? And they say, well, our budget is tight. Yes, but your revenues are good for the period for this very event that we’re asking you to sponsor.
“And so, it’s only right and just and proper and reasonable that you support the event in a tangible way and not with, you know, a day pass here or a day pass there. What we need is cold hard cash to pay for the event called Carnival,” Matthew said.
He notes that the only entity which “doesn’t see a tangible return is the Department of Creative Industries and the Festivals office” as large sums of money must be spent not only in organizing, but marketing Carnival.
“…But the funds don’t come to us. The funds come into the economy. And so when the Ministry of Tourism says, well, we’ve had record arrivals for July, it’s not because Antigua is just a beautiful place, it’s because they’re coming to this beautiful place for an event called Carnival.
“When our hoteliers boast of 80 and 90 percent occupancy on their properties during the traditionally slow months of June and July, it’s not because the beach is just the beginning; it’s because they come for an event called Carnival, ” the festivals minister said.
Matthew said that with a budget of over $5 million annually, there is the need for private partnerships to ensure that the festival is successful.
“We have to find that money somewhere. And I want to use this opportunity that I have here also to really appeal to those persons who are on the front lines of being the beneficiary of Carnival to support Carnival.
“But we need other stakeholders and other beneficiaries of Carnival, and specifically the hotels, because every person that comes here visiting, they stay in a property somewhere. Most of them will stay in some of our wonderful hotels,” Matthew noted.
He continued, “And so it’s only fair and right that the hotels support our ability to bring additional guests here for the event called Carnival.”
Meanwhile, the festivals minister is again reiterating that this year’s Carnival being held under the theme “It’s a Vibe” will be the best in recent years based on the level of interest currently being shown.
He said registration numbers across various aspects of Carnival have been remarkably high with mas’ groups reporting strong sales, and at least two indicating that they are nearly sold out, each with over 1,000 participants already.
Matthew said he also anticipates a significant turnout for the T-shirt mas’ registration, which typically peaks a bit later, as the participating bands are generating considerable enthusiasm.
The minister addressed the vibrant music scene, adding that after a couple of years with some less impressive releases, the production and quality of the music over the past two years, particularly this year, have been outstanding.
He noted that he is very encouraged by the number of young people entering the Calypso and Soca arena, which suggests a continued strong enthusiasm for Carnival.
