Creative Strategies Help Save EC$1 Million on 2024 Carnival Costs, Festivals Commission Chair Reveals

Approximately EC$5 million was spent on staging the 2024 Carnival festivities, according to Minister of Creative Industries Daryl Mathew, who disclosed the figures during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

Elizabeth Mahkoul, Chairman of the Festivals Commission, highlighted that the team adopted creative strategies to produce a high-quality event while reducing costs.

“This year, we found innovative ways to cut expenses,” she explained. “The senator, myself, and the permanent secretary worked together to save on costs. For example, instead of renting tents, we collaborated with Public Works and National Housing to use containers at no additional cost.”

Mahkoul also noted that her team was able to deliver an enhanced product compared to the previous year, saving about $1 million.

Significant savings were also achieved on fuel, thanks to the support from West Indies Oil Company Limited.

“Diesel costs typically run up to $200,000 or more just for Carnival, covering electricity for vendors, lighting, and sound. We ensure separate generators for lights and sound to prevent equipment damage,” she explained.

As for actual profits and revenue from gate receipts, those figures are still being tabulated.

Meanwhile, service providers for carnival 2024 have so far received some 75% of their payments. So says the Festivals Minister Daryl Mathew.

“There is usually something that’s called a retention to ensure that before you make your final payment, you as the customer is satisfied with the quality of work that you received. We are going through that process with our service provides and in short order. I believe that will be a record for persons not clamoring for monies owed 5-10 years ago.”