Paulette Zonicle, Bahamas consul general to Washington, DC, with models at the Travel Adventure Show in the city to mark the launch of promotion efforts for this year’s Junkanoo Carnival. Photo: Felipé Major
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Tourism launched its 2016 Junkanoo Carnival marketing campaign in Washington, DC, over the weekend, showcasing the anticipated event to thousands at the Travel Adventure Show.
Paulette Zonicle, Bahamas consul general to Washington, DC, said the event was just “one of many other avenues” the Ministry of Tourism is using to “put Junkanoo Carnival and the Bahamas out there.”
The promotion coincided with Jet Blue offering direct flights from Washington’s Reagan National Airport to the Lynden Pindling International Airport. The service will be offered daily until May 3.
Ms Zonicle said the response so far has been “so great” that she expects a “large grouping of persons” will travel to New Providence and Grand Bahama for this year’s Junkanoo Carnival.
“This is one of the largest shows in the region and so each year The Bahamas participates and it puts us out there. As consul general I am honoured to share this experience because it makes me even more excited about going back to the Bahamas because of the beauty. These shows generate a lot of response,” Ms Zonicle said.
“This market is peculiar in that a lot of people have liquid cash to spend and so we try to do these events to put us out there so they can spend their money in The Bahamas. This is the first time we are promoting Junkanoo Carnival in this area, last year they didn’t come. So this year we are excited they came to Washington to get people interested in Junkanoo Carnival. So we believe we are going to have a great grouping from the Metro area going into carnival this year.”
She added: “The interest level is so high . . . people love The Bahamas and our food. The dancers from Junkanoo Carnival being here really puts it on the world stage because last year was really just an introduction and now this year is going to another level.”
Area manager Gabrielle Archer said thousands of persons flocked to the Bahamas booth, something she hopes will turn into bookings.
“We saw thousands of people asking for information on The Bahamas and Junkanoo Carnival. We are obviously hoping it translates into 100 per cent of those persons coming but realistically we think that about 30 per cent will turn into bookings,” Ms Archer said.
“We launched our promotions for Junkanoo Carnival and the crowd loved it. They kept asking us about it. (Bahamian singer) Kiara Sherman performed and that drove even more people to the booth. We are really excited about how many persons were interested.”
Last week, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said officials are still working to determine the budget for this year’s Junkanoo Carnival.
He insisted, however, that the price would be “several million dollars” less than last year’s festival, which cost about $11.3m.
Last year’s event was criticised because of government’s failure to break even or make a profit despite hailing the event as an economic stimulus and tourist attraction.
Junkanoo Carnival will take place on May 5-7 in New Providence, with a kick-off event from April 15-16 in Grand Bahama.
Comments
Fitmiss 8 years, 2 months ago
Well its about time. Did I read correctly that there will be daily flights on Jet Blue from Washington here until May 3rd, but the actual event is from My 5th- 7th? We are happy for the flight, but how does this help with getting persons here for the festival if the daily flights will not be available when Carnival starts? It is amazing how they try to distract us with smoke and mirrors.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
ya
killemwitdakno 8 years, 2 months ago
The costumes behind her look very nice. I like that I can recognize it.
WETHEPEOPLE 8 years, 2 months ago
Before criticizing think about what your saying first! The flights run up until May 3rd in order to facilitate a higher volume of passenger traffic from the Washington area. Jet Blue didnt have to agree to this daily flight at all, as the government has no control ove Jet Blue. So the daily flights will get the people into the country days leading up to the May 5th-7th. There are other airlines that fly direct back into Reagan which can return the passengers. So before bitching be greatfull.
Mayaguana34 8 years, 2 months ago
When will they learn that you cannot begin marketing 8 weeks in advance of an event - Another waste of public funds! SMFT!
banker 8 years, 2 months ago
People make plans months in advance. Most people take a break around March from the winter. Holding it in May is when it start to get really pleasant in Washington, and people don't travel then. School is not out yet. It would have been better to hold it during March so it would coincide with winter holidays.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 2 months ago
8 weeks to go and they're just starting. lol.. Didn't Obie just come out and say "of course we're not going to repeat last year"? THis really is the dumbest government we have ever had. And Obie is probably the main contender in that party for leader. Can you friggin imagine??? Obie as PM?!?!?!? The news reader as PM?!?!?
That's scary.
Will the PLP ever adopt actual standards?
Obie has never done a thing in his life. As an MP he is among the worst ever. As a news reader he was ok but nothing extraordinary. As a business man he is an utter failure..
Sounds like a perfect PLP candidate....
lol.....
Emac 8 years, 2 months ago
@WETHEPEOPLE-People have a right to bitch when it is their money being squandered into this dumb event. Not because everyone agrees with this plan does it make them bitchy! Get it right!
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