Prime Minister Perry Christie
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is expected to generate $30m for the Bahamas’ economy, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
While closing the mid-year budget debate in the House of Assembly last night, Mr Christie said with “proper execution” this year alone the festival can yield $21m.
He said of the $9m budgeted for Junkanoo Carnival, $1.7m has already been spent with “214 small and medium-sized businesses” throughout the islands to generate an estimated
economic impact of $7.6m.
“It is important to note that carnivals are the largest income-generating festivals in the world, contributing significantly to increased economic expenditure in tourism and overall economic growth in cities such as Toronto, New York, London, Miami, New Orleans, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad which hosts these special events. Economic benefits are generated from the expenditures generated from increased stopovers, cruise passengers as well as local participation,” Mr Christie said.
Junkanoo Carnival will be a series of cultural events scheduled to take place in Grand Bahama on April 17 and 18, and in New Providence from May 7 to 9.
“In fact, the Commission’s Chairman has reported that of the $9m the Government has committed to the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival venture, $1.7m has been spent with 214 small and medium local businesses throughout the islands which has already had an estimated impact on GDP of $7.6m and an additional $5m expenditure between January and May by the Commission is conservatively projected to yield a GDP impact of $21m this year alone.
“With proper execution of a national carnival-styled festival and expanded scope of cultural activities in the coming years the Government of The Bahamas can anticipate a potential GDP impact of $30m from these initiatives.”
Mr Christie said the economic impact of the Carnival will be particularly beneficial to young people, who comprise the bulk of the performers, artisans, designers and other local entrepreneurs.
Last month, Free National Movement Leader, Dr Hubert Minnis said that rather than promote Junkanoo Carnival, the government’s focus should be on expanding Junkanoo so that “other artists, like reggae artists, can incorporate it into their music” instead.
The inaugural festival has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks.
The Bahamas Christian Council also said it would not support the “immodest” costumes for the planned event, saying the scant attire could lead to “fornication, promiscuity, rape, incest” and other “sins of the flesh”.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 9 months ago
Two months to go and no advertising? Yet he says to expect to make 30 million....
Is he stupid or lying?
IslandRoots 9 years, 9 months ago
They are advertising heavily at LPIA. They are also on the front of the phonebook, heavy presence on Facebook. I have also seen huge banners at the Miami Dolphins stadium
Bahamas676 9 years, 9 months ago
you call that advertising ? the airport and Miami dolphins stadium, u really think that will bring in 30 million?
brownskinboi 9 years, 9 months ago
I've seen a few billboard signs along I-95 between Port St. Lucie & Daytona Beach. and one along I-4 in Orlando.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
9mil budgeted. Can someone report what was actually spent? A breakdown of salaries, office space, marketing, office expenses, hotel rentals, festival site etc.
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
That is a state secret, we will never get that information. It is your tax dollar but you have no right to know how it is spent, wasted, or stolen.
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
How can he say that the 9.5 million is being injected into the economy when we will have to pay that money back. Any money that government spends is NOT OUR MONEY, it is borrowed. Voodoo economics, that 9.5 million is a COST to the Bahamas and that does not include the INTEREST we will have to pay on said 9.5 million. Mr. P.M., you can twist up your fancy words all you want but there are people that do understand the TRUE situation.
TalRussell 9 years, 9 months ago
Comrades I think even before taxpayers can be expected to wrap their brains around, why in the hell is an island nation committed to spend 9.5 million dollars for Carnival 2015, THEY WOULD FIRST like for the PM/Minister Finance to start with ANSWERING the following money questions:
How did the following two Domain Names COME ABOUT and by whom? Who were and now are the recorded owners of record? And, is it TRUE that some $50,000 was paid out for registrations and to whom? And, if TRUE who did the $50,000 math to pass the payment(s) approval test by the nation's protector of taxpayers monies, the crown's minister of finance?
And, is the PM/minister finance willing to show the math presented to him and used to pay out taxpayers monies for both domain registrations? If not, why not?
BAHAMASJUNKANOO.COM Updated Date: 2014-09-29 Creation Date: 2011-12-19
BAHAMASCARNIVALJUNKANOO.COM Update Date: 2014-08-29 Creation Date: 2014-08-29
John 9 years, 9 months ago
While no sensible thinking Bahamian wants to see Carnival fail and another $9 million of our money go up in smoke, one must question if the government jumped the gun on this entire carnival saga. No one knows yet who is headlining the event and advertising has not yet begun in earnest. The fact is that if the first event is a flop, it will be more difficult to sell the Junkanoo Carnival in the future. Maybe the government needed more consultation with the Bahamian people and a more experienced team to bring the event to life. In colleges that have homecoming, the first thing you know is who will be appearing for the concert. At this juncture government must make a decision to press forward and present a poorly planned Junkanoo Carnival Rush A preview to next year", and hope it is successful enough to fine tune and bring back next year in full force, or to avoid a flop and cancel the event until next year. To postpone the event to another date will not be wise because persons who attend carnivals are some of the same people who take summer vacations with family. They should have some numbers by now to determine the level of interest in the event.
TalRussell 9 years, 9 months ago
Comrades it ain't long now that whilst the common natives are out across Bahamaland, hopefully scratching together enough coins pay the month's bills and living expenses, the PLP cabinet and Carnival 2015 organizers will be clinking together they champagne glasses toasting the signing of their taking 1.5 million dollars taxpayers monies to pay some damn foreigner to headline a show, if and when "not the natives" Carnival 2015 gets underway.
You'd think this PLP cabinet would at least be paying some attention to their demise on, or before, 2017?
Why not do what you're suppose do when you're spending other peoples money. You ask them, if it's okay, before you spend 9.5 million dollars of what aint exactly yours to spend?
Even the occupants in that foreigner owned nation of Freeport, are catching living hell. If Freeport can be independent from our nation's sovereignty, then why can't Abaco and Long Island?
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
The_Oracle 9 years, 9 months ago
I wouldn't touch that number based on where he pulled it from...........
John 9 years, 9 months ago
Some people cannot understand the need have an international star headline Junkanoo Carnival as opposed to local talent. Beyoncé has a fan base of over 67 million. Usher fans are around 55 million and Janet Jackson has a fan base of around 13 million. The only local Bahamian group that has a fan base of over 1 million is Bah Men. So if this event is to draw the Numbers needed to make it successful then it has to engage an international. but what needs to be done is to expose and showcase local talent and Junkanoo as a festival so that in 3-5 years out you will have persons coming for Junkanoo or for KB or whoever else.
Stapedius 9 years, 9 months ago
9 million spent on nonsense when hundreds of Bahamians are losing their homes. We are under the burden of VAT and they have stuck the attack dogs on many older Bahamians for RPT. Then comes NHI next year. Decimate the middle class why don't you. Taxes were inevitable I agree but not at this fast a rate. All this pressure on the daily living of your people, yet 9 million spent to bachanal and get on bad in the streets. Would this old mule of a prime minister please go away?
BahamaPundit 9 years, 9 months ago
I'll side with the PLP on this one. Carnival is a great idea. I gotta call out the press and Bahamian naysayers -- all of your complaints sound like ignorant garbage. Carnival will be the best thing to happen in The Bahamas in ages. Just face it, Junkanoo has lost its interest for many people now. Many do not even bother going anymore and those who do often regret it due to the long waits between groups. New Providence has become one of the most boring places on Earth. It needs Carnival to spice things up.
SP 9 years, 9 months ago
......... Standing Around Talking Bull As Usual - While Competitors Surge Forward .........
Too late Christie and the PLP couldn't keep up with a snail on crutches much less Cuba, Jamaica and other regional tourism resort destinations.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases…
It's no wonder Bahamas fell from the number one position in tourism to number five and continue the downward spiral.
The PLP and FNM lack vision ..... Foresight, innovative and new age thinking are totally out of the equation!
Time for new leadership with a different approach.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 9 months ago
Posters in our airport and a picture on our phone book is not an effective advertising strategy.
Without advertising this will fail. Two months to go and no advertising?
It's a non-event....
IslandRoots 9 years, 9 months ago
Airport with 3,000,000 annual international travelers, Facebook sponsored postings, Banners at Miami Dolphins stadium all seem very effective to me.
They could certainly do better....but I personally believe those are effective ways to advertise.
Don't get me wrong, I could really care less a bout Carnival. Will be interesting to see how it plays out though.
valleygirl 9 years, 9 months ago
Junkanoo is an entertainment originally for our Bahamian people. We enjoy the celebration, but how much money do we put into it? Do we fly in, do we rent hotel rooms, do we eat at various restaurants, do we go to downtown stores and shop? I think the answer to this is no to most of these. Carnival, however, will bring visitors, national and international. Depending on how great it is "out the gate", it will grow bigger each year. Bahamians, give this event a CHANCE. As for the costume dress code, from what I've seen over the past Junkanoo parades, there is no difference between the two - anything less at Carnival will be naked, that's how skimpy the costumes are now. Again people, give Carnival a CHANCE.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
That is exactly where they went wrong. I heard commentary the other day that placed this dilemma in a nutshell. Basically, successful cultural events are based around an experience in which the LOCAL population participates, once the event becomes a success LOCALLY, THEN you invite tourists in, telling them come look at how WE do this thing. The commentator pointed out how wrongheaded this event was, they've made up an event to cater to the tourist and then said see? This is authentic Bahamian.
I heard another person make this point to a commission townhall months ago, I.e, the local market is most important but they practically dismissed that person's concerns. They went down the wrong road, I hope two months is enough time to recover.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Also it's quite a stretch that there is no difference in the costumes. I've heard the PM and Minister Wilchombe repeat this and it's disingenuous at best.
I stand to be corrected but I have never seen bare to be dare panties as part of a costume in any Junkanoo parade. In fact the only panty I have ever seen was Colours 50's style stage girl costume and that was closer to a boy short and tastefully presented. Far far far from the skimpy panties in some (not all) the carnival costumes
asiseeit 9 years, 9 months ago
Has anybody seen a schedule of events yet? Does anybody know where these events will be held? Times, dates, little things like that?????
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Check the Bahamas Carnival FB page. I'm looking forward to the Junkanoo orchestra competition, think that is going to be very exciting...well I hope:)
TalRussell 9 years, 9 months ago
Comrade the events you mentioned are all being held over at Carnival 2015 "Fantasyland" Village. Just look for the premier headliner foreigner's show posters - starring Mickey Mouse.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago
Lol
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 9 months ago
Just look at how ugly this man has become with age. The theme of our first Carnival should be monsters of the worst kind and it should be led by Christie and his pathetic shuffle step until his bloated heart literally can't take the physical effort anymore! Yes, there is some solace in the adage that what goes around eventually comes around!
John 9 years, 9 months ago
The problem with Junkanoo is junkanooers (along with the crime surge ) killed Junkanoo. Over the past 20 years or so junkanoo became a contest to see who could build the biggest costumes and:or who could attract the largest number of members. Never mind that both of these contributed to the lackluster performance and the decline in spectators. The parades became long, drawn out and boring. Young people don't have Thea kind of time to be to an event that will last 6,7,8 hours. They will watch the main attraction and catch the highlights on their smart phone. Junkanoo needs an "after party " type event. Here's an idea for those who need to steal one : costumes are expensive and to just dump them after what may be just one lap on Bay Street is very wasteful. So why not have a Junkanoo tail gate party and exposition at the stadium starting the day after the Boxing Day parade and running a week after New Years day. Each group can be given a section to display their major costumes and sell souvenirs they can put on scheduled performances , Rush outs etc and taxis can take tourist there as part of a tour. Many persons who participate in Junkanoo don't get a chance to see their competitors. With a small entry charge and concession stands, this can easily raise a hundred thousand dollars plus annually for the groups.
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