Our people spend at other music festivals – Premier
Amid calls for support for the upcoming BVI Music Fest, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley pointed out that locals are spending their money to support similar events in other countries.
“We have some very successful music festivals in the region, which our own people get up, spend their money and go to,” the Premier said. “So I know they see that significance and importance and recognise that they themselves become tourists in another jurisdiction.”
Opposition critics have accused the Premier of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on parties while neglecting urgent infrastructure and healthcare challenges affecting the territory. However, Premier Wheatley said having a music fest is a no-brainer and urged the public to ensure that the BVI is not left behind, especially since it was one of the first in the region to host such events.
The upcoming music fest is expected to cost in the region of $670,000 and the government said it hoped to break even or possibly make a profit.
Dr Wheatley said he wants to make the music fest the biggest and best in the region but said the BVI has some catching up to do to make this happen. He arched everyone to get on board and promote the BVI as a destination.
“Tourism is everybody’s business. Let’s all become cheerleaders for the BVI and help the event to be successful as opposed to saying, well, I’m wondering whether it will be successful,” the Premier said. “It will be successful if we make it successful. Everybody has to get on board.” Tourist Board Director Clive McKoy said event tourism is a $163 billion industry which is projected to grow 4% annually over the next 10 years.
He commented that the festival will allow the BVI to get a piece of the pie, especially as access to the territory continues to improve.
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This statement makes no sense. If our people spend money at other music fests then that’s good for that country. That’s the purpose of the fest. To bring in people. You arrange a music fest with less than two months notice and advertising. So guess what? Very few people will come in for the event and it is our own people who will spend off their house rent money and their children lunch money to go to the music fest. How does that make sense?
Because the other countries have a wayyyyy better lineup as in with artists, when you all bringing these dinosaur artist that wouldn’t make someone really want to catch a flight to come here because I wouldn’t from the lineup you have and those other countries spend $EC and have a way more awesome lineup and we spending $US and look at the trash lineup we have, I will fly out EVERYTIME to SK for theirs because they show real pride in their lineup and selecting of artists all you do here is talk
Look at what you get from a Music Fest such as SK. Look at the accommodation, and all the additional things that come with a ticket. If you buy a VIP or VVIP ticket that comes with seating of all kinds, food and drinks (except for champagne). In addition there is waiter service if you choose. Also from my experience their acts start on time! If you from TOLA and you reach the stadium in SK an hour late, you missed that act. There is no comparison between SK music fest and anything I’ve seen in BVI. Now the first music fests on Cane Garden Bay were fun. They were all day all night parties. As time went on they got more and more tedious and less fun, of course starting with parking. But other places in the “region” who put on music fests have lots more experience doing them and actually know what they are doing. Here you are in a learning curve. Plus if you are not expecting to make money and you “hope” o break even I’m not sure I understand the purpose of putting out the effort.
He’s pocket watching the locals. You can’t make this stuff up.
Look at that @$$ in the middle of the picture
Who the wanna be Noel Lloyd?
Music fest in the BVI was never profitable
Bread and Circuses
Maybe we ought to think about putting on a music fest which appeals to the majority of our visitors and to attract them at a time when we dont get a lot of visitors (e.g. June). The demographic visiting our islands is predominantly White, North American and aged 50+. These are the people who will spend serious money, rent vehicles, get hotel rooms, eat out etc. Genres could be for example jazz, classic reggae, blues, soul and Motown. I appreciate that isn’t going to appeal to your average 25 year old but being real those younger ones are probably more likely to head to Trinidad or St kitts to party hard.
Our hapless premier seems to care more about “street cred” than commercial reality. If we’re serious about making $$$ we have to be selling something people want to buy.
Target Customers – nobody in the government will listen to a word from you, because you make far too much sense….
very strategic thinking ,I would only add that we can broaden the genres , find out what they really like and perhaps be a trailblazer with different styles of music . The genres you mentioned I would guess commprises about 25% of their musical taste but I bet the info can easily be found on spotify or other streaming services.
Mr Premier you say it best. The people use their money. The Government should not be spending tax payers money on parties. instead that 670,000.00 should be used for getting the AC working at the hospital,fix the roads, cut and maintain the shoulders and the list goes on and on. it was bad enough when you throw a party because AA start direct flights to the BVI. your priorities are screwed up. badly screwed up
While many individuals choose to spend their resources at other music festivals in the Caribbean, such as the St. Kitts Music Fest, it’s important to note that apart from this year’s lineup, the festival typically features a prominent artist that garners considerable anticipation.
For instance:
Byron Messia, a local talent from St. Kitts, was showcased during the peak of his hit song “Talibans.”
The festival also hosted Burna Boy while his hit song “Last Last” was gaining traction.
Furthermore, Wizkid graced the festival stage while his hit song “Essence” was at the height of popularity.
Now, let’s consider the practical aspects. St. Kitts Music Fest focuses on the music and emphasizes accessibility. Unlike other festivals, it provides contemporary and affordable accommodations in convenient, walkable locations, ensuring attendees’ comfortable and convenient experience.
From a financial perspective, the journey to Tortola can be time-consuming and costly, making it less appealing. In contrast, St. Kitts Music Fest offers a cost-effective alternative, allowing attendees to relish performances from prominent and emerging artists without straining their finances.
He could use half of that money to buy a backup AC for the hospital and still keep music fest.
Mr. Premier – When are we going to get the Central Administration Complex Building Fixed and back in operation?
Soon that Building is going to end up like Prospect Reef Hotel.
The complex will be after when the leases with Lake expire.