Durrant Pate/ Contributor

In an Our Today news follow-up, Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dr Natalio Wheatley, has rushed to the defence of his government’s sponsorship of the upcoming and much-touted Vybz Kartel concert there in March next year.

Wheatley is insisting that the state’s sponsorship of the concert headlined by the recently released entertainer, whose murder conviction was dropped by Jamaica’s Court of Appeal after being in prison for 13 years, will ultimately yield financial returns to the territory, primarily through tax revenues that will help boost the economy. 

The Premier addressed concerns during an interview yesterday about the government’s controversial $220,000 investment in the event. He highlighted the potential for the concert to generate income by attracting tourists from nearby regions, including the United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and even further afield. 

Vybz Kartel concert investment with broader benefits 

Wheatley emphasized that entertainment tourism significantly boosts the economy, arguing that events like the Vybz Kartel concert are investments with broader benefits. He pointed out that the concert would stimulate many businesses such as hotels, Airbnb’s, restaurants, and transport services, all contributing to the economy.

“Most likely, the same money that the government put in sponsorship to help make the show a reality, the government will get back that money in taxes,” Dr Wheatley was quoted by bviInews.com as saying.

He is also quoted as saying, “Some persons may not understand or be able to appreciate when visitors come to the Virgin Islands, how it contributes to the economy and contributes money towards all of the same things that they’re concerned about.” However, Wheatley, when asked, could not give a dollar estimate about the spending done by visitors this year.

Addressing some of the concerns

The Premier acknowledged that some residents may be concerned about the government spending on entertainment instead of other areas such as education or healthcare but emphasized that these sectors do not generate revenue directly, unlike tourism.

“If you want to get money to spend in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, you rely on the main revenue earners for the government,” he said, noting that the tourism and financial services sectors are the primary drivers of government revenue.

Wheatley mentioned past events like the government-sponsored Music Fest, which had some financial shortfalls, admitting that the government cannot solely assess success based on direct revenue sources. He contended that instead the broader economic stimulation must be considered.

The BVI Premier disclosed that it is now part of his government’s strategy to collaborate directly with private promoters and to avoid having the BVI Tourist Board execute similar events like the Music Fest, as it had done previously.

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley pointed to examples from other countries, such as Canada’s $40 million investment in the Caribana festival, where he said a study was conducted in that country before it realized Caribana’s true potential. He said Canada now brings significant financial returns to the Toronto economy, illustrating that similar events in the BVI can boost tourism.

He argued that the Vybz Kartel concert could have a similar impact, attracting visitors who contribute to local businesses and the overall economy.

READ: Vybz Kartel signs deal to perform in BVI next March 2025