Promoter predicts major profits for businesses ahead of Kartel concert
Steve Parillon of YOLO Promotions is projecting significant profits for businesses across the territory ahead of the upcoming Vybz Kartel concert, despite public disapproval from some sections of the community.
Parillon told BVI News that business owners are excited about the event, with many local accommodations already fully booked in preparation for the concert, which is set for Saturday, March 15.
While visiting the concert venue behind the Administration Complex in Road Town, Parillon revealed that fans from around the world are planning to attend. He noted that data from the global self-service ticketing platform being used for the event shows ticket purchases from various countries, reinforcing his belief that tourism-related businesses, especially hotels, will see substantial gains.
“Based on our EventBrite, we can tell that not only people across the region would be visiting but also people from across the globe,” Parillon stated.
“As we speak, all of the hotels, Airbnbs, and villas are booked out here,” he added.
With accommodations on the British Virgin Islands at full capacity, Parillon said alternative lodging solutions are being explored.
“Right now, we’re just trying to encourage people to take boat rides from the nearby islands and stay at hotels there so they can come to the show,” he explained.
Christian Council opposes government’s involvement
Meanwhile, the BVI Christian Council (BVICC) issued a statement on Friday, March 7, acknowledging that while it is too late to stop the concert, they have spoken with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and strongly urged him to avoid financially supporting similar events in the future.
“We informed the Premier in no uncertain terms of our disappointment in the government’s financial support of the Vybz Kartel concert on March 15, as the messaging of this activity directly contravenes our Christian principles and greatly impacts our cultural and moral trajectory,” the BVICC stated.
Parillon defends concert’s impact
Parillon criticised the focus on negativity, arguing that the concert will provide economic benefits for both local and regional businesses.
“Why just point out the negative? Why not look on the positive side as well?” he questioned.
He urged critics to ask the taxi drivers, hoteliers, cruise and airline companies, and other businesses about the opportunities the event presents.
Parillon also emphasized that the concert is historic, as it will mark Vybz Kartel’s first performance in over 13 years outside of Jamaica. He confirmed that the British Virgin Islands will be the first location to host the dancehall superstar. Other international artists, including Skillibeng and Jah Vinci, are also set to perform, with surprise guest appearances planned.
In October 2024, Premier Wheatley confirmed that the government contributed $220,000 in taxpayer funds toward the concert. The move sparked public disapproval, including criticism from two legislators, who argued that the Territory had more pressing matters to address.
However, Premier Wheatley defended the sponsorship, asserting that Vybz Kartel’s concert could have a positive impact on the territory despite concerns from some residents.
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Pure Lies- most of the Hotel that are full Guess has Nothing to do with Kartel show- a few yes. wish him the best anyways …!
So him pay back the $250k, and plus the extra $50k, to the Govt and the BVITB?
No, they are going to slip it under the famous carpet and fleece the tax payers money’s to pay it back.
Parillion stated that “despite public disapproval” – No Mr Parillon the disapproval was not about you having the concert i was about the public financingof the concert. You are free to finance and hold any concert you wish to . We just shouldnt have to pay for it.
Yes the promoter Taz and Mc.Mili started the mess. Hope when the violence start those three is ready to be responsible to take the LICK. Hope security is in order. For some reason I do not have a good feeling about this mess.
We in so much trouble I can’t describe. You mean we can’t balance our budget without a loan but throwing these pucking concertss who running this territory?
Based upon what exactlu
I’m curious to know what he defines as profit in this economy. You didn’t even come up with a down payment for booking Mr. Palmer. I hope you barely see any returns, considering that half of the Caribbean has already booked him, and we’re no longer exclusive. The BVI isn’t an entertainment hub, and I understand you’re resorting to last-minute begging for money. Fortunately, you have the government on your side, as other communities have already banned Mr. Palmer from performing due to his music.
When you have to do last minute begging……………..
Facts. I smell a poor turnout. Can anyone really go tho that show and enjoy themselves
Concerts can actually have an outrageously good impact on local economies. I believe the Taylor Swift tour turned every dollar in ticket price into $8 dollars for local economies which is an incredible conversion. If the government is serious about event tourism, we need to put some resources into properly assessing their success, but I suspect we never will because the public learning about events that lost the country money will make them look bad.
Not every business is going to profit only some. Only who have hands in it will profit. Stop trying to gaslight people.
The amount of people want this dude unalive, hats off to who want to brave this event when bullets start to rain. Tola is a soft target bc it does not have the resources to handle these situations.
The premier need licks for this one taking up so much money to give a private entity for concert when all you hearing is it aint got no money for so many important things that need doing. The seniors in east end cant even use the community center 5 days a week as promised because aint got no money for that. but we got 220k for vybz kartel. Some ayo what going got to catch water from morning to bathe to go that show cause aint going have no running water by the time you looking to get ready. We must go to vybz kartel concert and be content despite the place running down and it don’t have no money for nothing important.
The Rasta Trump is on his rant over at the radio as usual calling names.
Vybes Kartel will be in St Kitts in 3 months for an action packed line up of artists which would be more value for money. If you look behind the complex now with a few days left, they are in big trouble. The hotels are always booked in March so I’m not sure what this guy is talking about. Yes, some businesses will make money but that does not mean putting on the show made financial sense. Our government will be on the hook for much more than $220K which in itself shows how stupid the entire thing is/was.
Despite the best efforts of the RVIPF there will be violence at this concert this Sat. night.
Stay home behind bullet proof walls!
How much is Government of the Virgin Islands getting back after wasting all that money that could’ve been used in the schools, the hospital, fix the roads, or to fix the water problem?? Please let us know
I agree. I am so tired of driving on those rikity roads in SCB, till my car starting to sound like one of those old garbage trucks. WTH those roads taking over 6 months to fix.
Look how much money the hospital owes Electricity, till they put the clinics in jeopardy and they paying drip drip with their wilfullness. That $250 would have gone far to ensure that Health Services pay their light bills.
Oh come on, natalio Trinidad advisor ask you to appear in the media to deflect the blame of his bad stewardship over the BVI finances, because natalio will be a football throughout this month giving him unfavorable popularity with the people in conjunction with st Thomas tariff war, I notice he ask government Bryan to promote as some leader of a kind, he political advisor is really at work, that same guy appearing to take the licks would a wish he had that money to start a small boutique hotel at let’s say prospect reefs, but no , I hear Vybz Kartel building a massive house from we BVI people tax money.and it’s a possibility that natalio unpopularity may cause Hime to get sting by the snake Fraser who is a more mature politician and potential leader, he counting on Marlon Penn if this happens to save him, this model the primier took as far as giving $250K to a criminal tells the youths they can get guns and go rob because criminal will prosper and it’s an attractive lifestyle that brings wealth, but when he leaves office he will regret it in his old age sitting on the verandah when those youths comes to rob him.
Marlon would be wrong because we want an election now
Lorna and Marlon and Fraser has thrown their support behind natalio get more finance to party some more.
the thieves and crooks wil be lurkin, guard your wallets, purses, pockets and vehicles AH BEG!!! Praying for an incident free event for you all! be safe
Wishing you success in your endeavors, bad mind is the worse disease and unfortunately there is no cure. Don’t watch the noise just do your thing. What a set a badminded people in this place so much hatred against their own people.
Please get it through your Damn head this is not about anyone being bad minded. The problem is people is upset about their tax dollars were used as a down payment to sponsor a criminal. So please stop with the BS, PLEASE AND THANK YOU. On this Island, when you hit someone with the TRUTH. they love to say you are bad minded or a hater.
It’ll be interesting to see who will fork out $140 but always brokes everytime you see em
$140.00 then Monday they out here begging with the sob stories about they broke. My $140.00 will go towards paying my rent or buying food.
And the brokest ones usually have the fanciest hair, make-up, nails and outfits.
I am not going to the concert but I know who two that is going, I have better and more important things to do with my money. I already told them next week when they are broke, don’t come to me asking if I can help them out with food or gas money and my answer to them will be cut up the lace front put it on a plate with a fork and knife, or pluck some eyelash hairs from your fake lashes and barter with the gas station for gas.
Don’t want to hear any whining when the UK takes over, Sooner the better.
Ain’t nobody with a brain coming here to watch garbage…
Next waste of the people money.
Oh I didn’t realize the show still on. Unless I in LaLa land, I haven’t heard or seen any marketing promotions on the Cartel show
Wanna know why? Because they know how people is going to react especially the people that is not pleased or in support of the concert. I thought the same thing they don’t want to piss people off no more than they are pissed off.I myself don’t want to see or hear anything concerning that show. I
I invite Mr. Parillon to disclose how much and to whom is being paid in kickbacks
lol like this whole thing so stupid it got to be them getting kickbacks out of it for real.
Sorry for spilling the hot tea but Steve, WB, Taz, McMili, P* and the radio man is going to get profits from the show. That ten grand give away who do you think is going to get the profits from that.
This is the worst, most co**upt, most gangster, most cr**ked and c*n officials that have ever been electd to office in VI history, and equally the con artists ripping the tax payers off.
The worst of the human mind seem to be fully in power in these days.
Hate it or love it the show will see major profits only two will see theirs…steve n wsi
Hotels are FAR from booked. Closer to empty is the truth. Like Valentine’s Day, that CGB white elephant was empty, but dem marketing folks thanking everyone for booking them full. Hmmm, I have photos that strongly suggest otherwise.
@Full of You’re on point. Drove by that Heffalump two days ago. Not only is it ugly, but who is their target market? It’s not on the beach, not near the waves for surfers, not a five-star resort, not an intimate boutique hotel, not a downtown business hotel. Have you ever heard someone say, “I want to stay right by the road where I can see converted pick-up trucks disgorge hordes of cruise shippers”?
WHO EVER U ~ ARE , THAT WAS NEATLY PUT THE MESSAGE IS THERE , JUST TO COLLECTED and ANALYZED
He fronting for N* that a good look man know who to go after. Kartel did it but he got out I hope they big up k*s and sh*m in the case as well once yo kill and name your kill in Tortola you good.
WHEN YOU WAKE UP – OPEN BOTH EYES / IF YOU DON’T LOVE HERE , WHEN YO COME, HAE JUS ASK DE MAN ON DE STREET , YOH CAN GET ALL YHE INFORMATION 4 FREE • ( THEN THERE IS HIS EXCELLENCY – CSC – ON THE SIDE WAITING TO EDUCATE YOU ON THE BVI’S HIS ~ STORY ,
Dr n w you a JFK for the road.
Yes pr no