Gov’t sponsorship of Kartel concert will come back in taxes — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has insisted that the government’s sponsorship of the Vybz Kartel concert will ultimately yield financial returns to the territory, primarily through tax revenues that will help boost the economy.
The Premier addressed concerns during a interview yesterday about the government’s controversial $220,000 investment in the event, highlighting the potential for the concert to generate income by attracting tourists from nearby regions, including the United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and even further afield.
Premier Wheatley emphasised that entertainment tourism significantly boosts the economy and argued that events like the Vybz Kartel concert are investments with broader benefits. He pointed out that the concert would stimulate many businesses such as hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, and transport services, all contributing to the economy.
“Most likely, the same money that the government put in sponsorship to help make the show a reality, the government will get back that money in taxes,” Dr Wheatley stated.
“Some persons may not understand or be able to appreciate when visitors come to the Virgin Islands, how it contributes to the economy and contributes money towards all of the same things that they’re concerned about,” the Premier remarked. However, he confessed that he could not give a dollar estimate about the spending done by visitors this year.
Concerns
The Premier noted that some residents may be concerned about the government spending on entertainment instead of other areas such as education or healthcare. However, he explained that these sectors do not generate revenue directly, unlike tourism. “If you want to get money to spend in education, healthcare, infrastructure, you rely on the main revenue earners for the government,” he said, noting that the tourism and financial services sectors are the primary drivers of government revenue.
He also addressed past events like the government-sponsored Music Fest, which had some financial shortfalls. “As it pertains to expenses versus like gate receipts or things on drinks, of course, it would be a loss,” Premier Wheatley said. He argued that the government cannot solely assess success based on these direct revenue sources. Instead, the broader economic stimulation must be considered.
The Premier said it is now part of his government’s strategy to collaborate directly with private promoters and to avoid having the BVI Tourist Board execute similar events like the Music Fest, as it had done previously.
Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley pointed to examples from other countries, such as Canada’s $40 million investment in the Caribana festival, where he said a study was conducted in that country before it realised Caribana’s true potential. According to the Premier, Caribana now brings significant financial returns to the Toronto economy. He used this to illustrate that similar events in the BVI can boost tourism, noting that the Vybz Kartel concert could have a similar impact, attracting visitors who contribute to local businesses and the overall economy.
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He is saying a bunch of nothing in order to get the backlash under control. Why didn’t he use his own money to sponsor since it’s such a good idea. When would we have known about this sponsorship with OUR money? He is sneaky and manipulative. God alone knows what other things he “sponsored” or used (personal) our money for.
Here’s one:
https://www.gbmediahouse.com/Articles/Article/703/Premier-Oversteps-Protocols-Abuses-Power-In-Favour-Of-Miss-BVI-Anika-Christopher
$220,000 in taxes so 22,000 tourists are coming in just to see this band? And that tax is for the enviroment but it never sees the tax. There is no icome tax in the BVI so incomes generated do not pay tax, and this guy is the minister of forgetfulness sorry finace
The Hotels have to pay tax on every room sold as well 10%.
Especially as we have no real taxation in the BVI..no income tax, no value added tax, no sales tax.so how are you going to recoup your this “investment”?
Hahahahahah
Whatever he says goes
Hahahahahahah
Where are the statistics.
Mr. Premier, why such obstinacy with this issue without a more solid basis of evidence? You stated that there still outstanding debt associated with the Buju Banton show of 2019. It would be far more prudent to have a comprehensive analysis done on the actual viability of this sector rather than relying on anecdotal advice, no matter how persuasive it may seem.
Decisions of this magnitude should be grounded in data, not in what people want to believe or what sounds good politically. Without a serious evaluation of costs, benefits, and long-term outcomes, you run the risk of pouring resources into something that simply won’t deliver results
Where are his projections/numbers/statistics to support this claim?
increase the aviation taxes. $20 for every pig that we see flying. Because that’s as likely a way to generate income as our fiscally challenged premier’s plan
Like all the taxes from the last musicfest?
I reading dis N * home need to be burn down with him in side
Whether you like the man of not this is a terrible. You wish he will burn in his house? Are you serious? This speaks volumes of the kind of people living among us. BVI New should be held responsible for air these kind of comments.
Waiting to hear the lyrics sung to the youths. To see if this really worth a few extra return’s
I guess will cry for peace again that always works
The premier needs to do his research before talking. Yes Caribana brings huge money to the Canadian economy with well over 1 million visitors coming for the festival. However the federal government has never supported the festival to the tune of 40 million dollars. The organizers have always struggled to get government funding to support the festival. Check out the link below for the actual facts. It is definetly more corporate sponsorship that has kept the festival going over the years.
https://www.canada.ca/en/economic-development-southern-ontario/news/2022/07/government-of-canada-invests-1-million-to-support-return-of-toronto-caribbean-carnival.html
When they told slow wanday he was the leader of the Virgin Islands Party these are the types of party he had in mind…. go figure
Even with the Tourism and Environmental levy, plus departure tax over 10,000 visitors would have to come in SPECIFICALLY for this show, in order to recoup the $400k that the government is giving to Steve and Kartel. Don’t forget that another payment has to be made in December! What 10k people coming here to see that woodslave lizard? The type of people that would go to that show cannot afford the average 3 night stay in the BvI. They are not our target market at all! They will be begging their friends to let them sleep on the couch. And don’t burger it always have 3 other shows in the Caribbean before BVI own! So ain’t like BVI is special! Lastly don’t forget that it is peak tourism season in March! The place will already be packed with our usual tourists. Sl**ande will try to add those numbers to make it seem like the show is successful when it will not be.
Premier pay us the civil servants our increment December 2024 please its our we work for it.
Andrew would have never did this
I’m already looking at tickets to tortola in March, need an air bnb for 10 people