The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival yesterday confirmed that its government subsidy has been cut by 50 per cent compared to 2016, with organisers reaffirming that they are “moving speedily” towards privatisation of an event now in its third year.

Roscoe Dames, the Bahamas National Festival Commission’s (BNFC) chief executive, said that as a result of the reduced subsidy it had to “streamline” its operations for the 2017 version. The festival is scheduled for April 28-29 in Grand Bahama, and the main event, May 4-6 at ‘Da Cultural Village on Arawak Cay.

“Compared to last year, with the streamlining of our operation and financial constraints, the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will be hosted in one location which is Arawak Cay,” Mr Dames said. “Clifford Park is no more. All the activities  for Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be held in Da Cultural Village in Nassau.

“There has been a significant budget reduction. We have cut the Government subsidy 50 per cent over last year.” Mr Dames added that while the Commission’s operations have been streamlined significantly, the quality of the production will not be adversely impacted.

The Christie administration’s subsidy to the event over the inaugural two years has been almost $20 million, with $11.3 million and $8.1 million spent in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Mr Dames said yesterday that the international marketing for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival had never stopped, with an “intense” four-week local marketing campaign planned.

“People in the country  have known that Junkanoo Carnival dates were set from last year. Everyone in the domestic market knew what was happening,” Mr Dames said, adding: “Our marketing has never stopped in the international arena.”

Mr Dames said the Commission was moving speedily towards privatising Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

“It has always been the mandate of the Bahamas Festival Commission to privatise Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival,” he said, adding that all the Carnival band companies were privately owned.

“There was no subsidy last year and there is no subsidy this year. We are moving speedily towards privatisation,” Mr Dames said.    

The Festival Commission’s analysis came up with figures showing the 2016 Carnival had a ‘direct economic impact’ of $17.795 million, which was then ‘multiplied by four’ to derive the $70 million overall GDP impact.

The figures also revealed that, in return for its $8.111 million subsidy, the Government received $6.347 million in tax revenue - meaning it had to spend $1.28 for every $1 it earned. Ultimately, it suffered a near $1.8 million ‘loss’.