The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribuneedia.net

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival organisers yesterday said ticket sales for the Nassau event have been strong, adding that the postponement controversy had boosted awareness of the destination.

Speaking with Tribune Business at a press conference on the scaled-down festival, scheduled for May 4-6,  Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) chief executive, Roscoe Dames, said: “It affected the public relations and the rescheduling of people who had already planned to come from outside the country.

“I don’t think it had as significant an impact on locals who are already here. Having it reverted simply meant that visitors who had  already planned could continue to come. Ticket sales have been reflective of that.”

Mr Dames said skybox tickets have already sold out. Tickets can be purchased online from Cash & Go, which has 14 locations.

    He added: “Controversy is good. No press is bad press. People who did not know anything about the Bahamas, Junkanoo or that we had a Carnival now know.

“We were able to gauge how much people were emotionally vested in this. We know that we have this.”

    The Nassau event, scheduled for May 4-6, had initially been postponed to May 18-20 due to conflicts with the general election timetable. Following two days of widespread backlash, locally and internationally, over the last-minute delay and cancellation of the Grand Bahama event, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe announced that the original dates were reinstated, along with the Freeport component.

    “What we do see is that Junkanoo has an opportunity and can be marketed to the world,” Mr Dames said.

“People are curious about Junkanoo because of our marketing globally.  I can’t see the junkanooers saying that word isn’t out about their cultural expression. It, carnival, the Bahamas, controversy, whatever it is, the world now knows about the Bahamas, Junkanoo and Carnival.”

    Mr Dames said this year’s Carnival budget has been reduced by 50 per cent compared to last year. “We will be able to provide a report post the event,” he added.

“We have an independent accounting team, which is part of our operations, and is overseeing the budget and our spending. We have learned some lessons over the last two years and we are encouraged to contain and sustain a reduced budget. That is important.”