The organisers of last week’s Dream Weekend have declared that, though held on a smaller scale due to COVID-19 protocols, the series of parties was still able to generate significant business and revenue for the local economy, particularly Western Jamaica.

The tourism and entertainment sectors have been reeling from the negative effects of the pandemic for almost two years with the crippling impact being felt from the largest players in the industry to the smallest.

That negative impact was among the considerations of the Andrew Holness administration when it eased restrictions in July, allowing Dream Weekend and other entertainment events to be held, albeit under strict COVID-19 protocols.

Less than a month later, the prime minister was forced to tighten restrictions amid a spike in COVID-19 cases, and subsequently faced criticism amid a perception that the opening up for parties contributed to the increased cases.

Dream Entertainment has, however, maintained that COVID-19 protocols were for the most part followed at its events, and is now stressing the benefit the series brought to the nation.

According to Kamal Bankay, chairman of Dream Entertainment, from the street side vendors to the beach side restaurants, from taxis to rental car companies, every one was impacted positively for the period of Dream Weekend.

“If we do a rough calculation of approximately 3,000 dreamers over five days with a spend of about US$360 per day, which covers transport, hotel, meals, dream season band among other costs, that amounts to J$860,250,000. That is quite a bit of inflows and a huge boost to the fledgling economy. We contribute J$4.3 billion annually to the economy,” Bankay said.

“Furthermore, the hotel occupancy was above 80 per cent occupancy at a time when arrivals have been dwindling. From cottages and villas to the large all inclusives, the hotels were running way above what has become the norm during this pandemic times. In addition, over 50 vendors were approved to vend outside each of the dream parties, this was a major infusion of revenue for them.”

In the meantime, with the announcement that no entertainment events can be held for the next three weeks, due to the tightening of restrictions in the face of the spike in infections, industry players have questioned whether they will be remunerated for future losses suffered. 

“Locking down the industry is one, but we have to be prepared to make provision for the loss of income,” said Ryan Morrison, president of the Negril Entertainment Association.