Gov’t not aiming for profit from Festival, Premier says

Amid growing criticism over his government’s spending on various private entertainment events, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley revealed that his government is not aiming to make a profit from the annual Emancipation Festival, despite collecting more than $1 million in revenue last year.

Speaking on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice radio programme, Premier Wheatley addressed long-standing concerns about the high cost of staging the territory’s largest cultural event. “Let me just say that our goal is not to make a profit,” Dr Wheatley stated. “We want everybody who has businesses to make a profit. But the government’s goal is not to make a profit.”

According to the Premier, the funds generated from festival activities — including ticket sales, vendor fees, and sponsorships — are used to cover extensive operational costs. “If money is being charged at the gate, it’s to try to see how we can get all the bills paid,” he explained. “Last year, we made somewhere over a million dollars, which is good. But, of course, it’s very expensive because all the expenses go into the millions.”

Dr Wheatley added that any shortfall is covered by public funding and private sponsorships. “Government will put some money, sponsors will put some money, and the money which is made from some of the activities and the gates will all go to pay the expenses,” he noted.

Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith also commented on the planning efforts underway for this year’s event. She said the government intends to spotlight local talent while reducing costs. “Yes, we will bring in some entertainers, but our emphasis will be looking at our local talents,” Hodge-Smith said.

She explained that hosting international acts significantly increases expenditure due to airfare, accommodation, and performance fees. “There is definitely a cost for festival… We will get to free entry one of these days, but it’s not going to happen now,” she said.

To keep costs within budget, Hodge-Smith said there will be fewer paid nights. “If we can possibly have less nights being paid, we will try our utmost best to do that. But there definitely will be some nights when they’re paid.”

Festival dates for this year are scheduled from 25 July to 9 August, with official activities planned for Road Town, East End/Long Look, and Carrot Bay. The event commemorates the territory’s emancipation from slavery and is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in the BVI calendar.