Premier denies wasting money on Music Fest
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has refuted claims that his government’s decision to fund a music festival constitutes a waste of taxpayer money, despite the scheduling of a similar event by private organisers around the same period.
Dr Wheatley argued that investing in the BVI Music Festival – set to coincide with the Memorial Day weekend in the United States – is a strategic move to enhance the territory’s tourism product during the traditionally slow summer months.
Premier Wheatley argued that the territory needs activities for May, June, July, August, and September. He stated, ”Tourism is a very competitive business. The more activities you have, the better.”
Addressing concerns about the government potentially wasting close to $750,000 on the festival, Premier Wheatley backed the strategy’s effectiveness.
He referenced the success of music festivals in other Caribbean destinations and major cities as a proven approach to boosting tourism numbers. “It’s a strategy not just being used by the Virgin Islands…music festivals is something that is a tried and proven strategy in building your tourism product,” Wheatley explained.
The Premier also highlighted his government’s support of other events, including the Spring Regatta and a fishing tournament, which he said were a means to attract visitors from nearby regions and further afield.
When it was suggested that government officials were attempting to sway artistes from participating in the concurrent, privately organised One VI Music Festival by offering higher payments, the Premier denied any misuse of government funds in this regard. He cited a lack of detailed knowledge about these allegations and expressed trust in the Tourist Board’s ability to organise a successful event.
Dr Wheatley also addressed inquiries about the Tourist Board’s budget, indicating an increase to over $10 million to accommodate the additional events.
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after the side effects the COI put on us , WE had to free up the tension / so we had a couple ah hundred thousand and it came in handy ( U know how it-A ) we done got to the s**t flowing in the streets / pot holes is an added attraction the tourist don’t mind the holes they are enjoying the hills the sea the beaches etc , so only we BVILANDERS complaining , but it’s only TARK
I cant understand why contractors have to bid on simple stuff like ghut cleaning and here we are hosting music fest for 250000
You would swear we don’t have a public works dept how everything need to be a private contract.
in early August with all these other ‘proposed’ music festivals in the BVI. One a year on each of the 4 main islands is more than sufficient for the local residents.
Also stop the lies about boosting tourism with music festivals. The vast majority of BVI tourist seek peace and quiet during their BVI holiday NOT excessive NOISE.
Good day Mr. N. Wheatley, hru sir?.We are in the month of March the year 2024; from today please have common sense and testicular fortitude and stop speaking rubbish on air and in newspaper. Thank you.
Prices for everything in the BVI need to be drastically decreased before you hope to see enough people come to these events.
It’s someone elses fault, always.
S!0w W@nde has never even sold a bag of popcorn. They need to limit what he can sign for/ spend. He can only access funds after the auditor General probes his request
PWD has workers , who shows up and disappears and end in the ghetto and surrounding areas on a daily basis and that ain’t no secret / it been the norm for years now , but dont take my word for it , just take a walk through for yourself
USVI GOT Shaggy a top performers for FREE ENTRY!
That is all I gonna say folks!
It’s a waste of money yes,that money should be go to Agriculture build to back up,what is music fest doing for the country? Alot of drugs and guns will be coming in on that weekend like always…the young girls get drunk easily and get the ride of there lives
I’m asking cause I really don’t know. In other Caribbean countries like you say Mr. Premier, have music fest. Realistically, are the governments of those countries blowing 750,000 on it?
When Mr. Mahoney was running it did it require government funding? Further more it was free at that time and pulled extremely large crowds, that was what was good for tourism.
After the costly foolishness of the “nonstop concert” last year, and the general outcry by most people, to repeat this assishness again as some form of alleged tourist promotion is downright criminal. God help us!
Other islands that are successful plan at least a year out not two months out. This is a waste of money for sure. And where is it? It should be brought back to the beach in CGB. Best venue ever!
couldn’t wait to come to the music festival and sailing around the most beautiful islands. Keeping up with my favorite vacation spot over the years reading what is going on has deterred me from returning not including people I have met there feel like I have to be bothered by them being there and social media when not there. The place is getting too weird for me I would have to come back there with the National Guards to feel somewhat safe. Tortola will always be in my heart.