BVI population too low to support Vybz Kartel show
Skepticism has emerged regarding the BVI’s capacity to support the upcoming Vybz Kartel concert, scheduled for March 2025.
Acting Labour Commissioner Mervin Hastings, speaking not in an official capacity but as a commenter during a live JTV Facebook broadcast with event promoter Steve Parillon on October 10, suggested that the territory’s population may not be sufficient to justify the financial investment made on the show.
According to Parillon, government — through the Premier’s Office — dumped nearly a quarter million dollars into the event.
But Hastings said in is post that, “BVI does not have the population to support this show unless the ticket [prices] are extremely high.”
This discussion mirrors earlier controversies regarding government funding for the BVI music festival, with Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley receiving flak for “investing in parties” rather than fixing the territory’s poor public infrastructure and helping needy residents. But Dr Wheatley highlighted then that locals and visitors spend money to attend similar events abroad.
He cited the success of music festivals in other Caribbean destinations and major cities as effective strategies for boosting tourism and revenue. “Music festivals are a tried and proven strategy in building your tourism product,” Wheatley explained.
The Premier also pointed to the government’s support of various events, including the Spring Regatta and a fishing tournament, as efforts to attract visitors from nearby regions and beyond.
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So Mervin you … piece of … it don’t have ferrys? So other people from neighboring islands wouldn’t come to the show? Boy get some class and STFU!
el demonio negro is an idiot
5000 PEOPLE @ $100 EACH SHOULD GIVE US HALF A MILLION DOLLARS
@BOTTOM LINE
That would not happen. The promoters have to make a profit too.
Yeah, the maths work but what makes you think that anywhere near 5000 people will attend…and pay to attend???
Where will 5000 people come from. You will be lucky to get 1000.
A SMALL @$$ OUTSMARTED A BIGGER #$$
A SMALL @$$ OUTSMARTED A BIGGER @$$ do the math
Everyday by 7:30 they turning off the street water and making poor excuses for it, yet they find over two hundred thousand ($200,000.00) dollars for foolishness.
I don’t see 2,000 people attending that show and even if they do the tickets will have to be $120 each and that’s just for government to make $10K on what they invest. Who thinks that will happen?
We will lose money again and we all Know it.
Never see a finance moo***ish as premiere Wheatley, but financial expert like Lorna smith need to rain him in, change the government, give to people joy to see justice or the discipline of an errant boy, may virgin islands rejoice in a sudden change of government before year end.
There will be no music show. The UK government in control of the BVI will not allow this released criminal into the BVI.
Damn right. That man should not be allowed in your country, much more to have a show there. By the way, I am a Jamaican.
Damn right.
They did not order a retrial yesterday, but that does not make him innocent of the murder.
That man should not be allowed to enter your country.
By the way, I am a Jamaican.
Somebody needs to be sent Home for this and we all know who that is or arrested for stealing the Peoples’ Money. I hope the UK people do read these News Sites. He/She is no different than those who were arrested before. That’s what We want. A strong Message needs to be sent to those Legislators that they cannot meddle in Peoples’ Money like its their own. They already spend enough on paying for Hotel Rooms for their Mistress when they Travel and now this? Yes, I know who, when and where.
do tell
Tell crazy Cindy and mevin go k* themselves
That is a LOT of pent up anger you have for people with differing views/opinions than you. You sound ignorant and demonic. Like these two people ride you at nights.
Natalio Wheatley when you are going to compare the government support for music festivals and the support for the BVI Spring Regatta and fishing tournament it shows how that you shouldn’t be Premier of these beautiful Islands you are not the brightest light bulb in the pack in the head
The only persons i see supporting any of these kind of events are mostly criminals, street man, low standard men/women, low self-esteem women, half naked women, women with no home training, drug man, corrupt politicians and the poor youths that thinks this is the most popular thing to do.
see the comments alrdy showing support. same people them that running dope or can’t meet their next rent date
Man Hastings you know this show isn’t being planned thinking bout local support alone B.
Parillion now needs to really do some ground work and have talk with the Airlines yo offer a special face in colibration with Hotels to give package deals. If he can’t get airfare for a 260.00 dollar round trip from St maarten plus hotel , and 350.00 from antigua, st vincent and dominica its not going be profitable.
BVI was able to sustain BUJU BANTON DI GARGAMEL. It’ll be able to sustain ADIDJA PALMER DI TEACHER
Cancel, cancel. Cancel
With the right strategy this show could be a huge success. Neighboring islands would flock to the country. It’s not just tortola people will fly in it will be others. Shows aren’t really meant to make a profit it’s more in the interest of the country an economic boost. Airbnb’s, Hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, airline tickets. All of these are tax based. So while it may seems like it’s not wise. You have to look at what it would do to the economy! The government for sure would be the winner! With people entering by air and sea they would make a killing by taxes!
Artiste aren’t actually brought in to make a profit on tickets to be honest. The real money is made from flights and ferry. Each person would be taxed on entry and departure. Persons coming would have to find somewhere to stay, That’s tax again. Supermarket would make money, Tax again. Persons would need to get rental, tax again! So the cost of the ticket isn’t a big thing it’s helpful but not as much as the economic activity that the show will bring. Trust me it’s alot of money it cost to host but it brings in alot of money as well.
Aleady know i am not going. Vybz Kartel concert reminds me of final destination.
Kartel does not have a U.S. visa. What about all the USVI fans who are coming over?
Were is lizard.
Where is LIZARD , AS LONG 1%SEE THIS GUY FOR WHO HE IS ,LIZARD MOTHER IS SUFFERING ,WHY DONT HE GIVE HER A % OF WHAT HE EARN
The show goin pull off reguardless the last BOB waa sold out. This show wohkd draw a large crowd for persons that op not to the extremmly high prices for the show in jamica…how ever know yolo for who yolo is the small artist them goin get squeeze or lowballed play for $250 kartel you playing infront of kartel
is waiting for him
IF IT WAS BURNA BOY A YOU WOULDN’T SAY A DAM THING. I DONT KNOW WHY KARTEL GONE WASTE HIS TIME GOING TO KEEP SHOW IN TOLA CAUSE NOTHING NA GWAN OVER THEY BORING AND DEAD. KARTEL SHOULD GO ST.LUCIA WHERE THEY HAVE THE BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL.TOLA PEOPLE TO NUFF AND OUTTA ORDER. KARTEL WILL ALWAYS BE WORLD BOSS. THAT IS EXPOSURE FOR A YA SMALL ISLAND.WHEN LAST A YOU SEE INFLUX OF PEOPLE FOR AN EVENT IN TOLA LIKE WHAT KARTEL BOUT TO BRING. A YOU TOURISM NEED A BOOST SO RELAX
Burna Boy in USVI was enough.
Since Tola people to nuff and outta order. Give us back our money and see what St.Lucia has to offer.
World Boss in his world and those who want to follow the hype. As you would know even satan has his angels.