(LOOPTT) – There was a time that St Vincent and the Grenadines held their annual Carnival during the same period as Trinidad and Tobago’s.
In 1977, a decision was taken to move the Carnival to another time of year where there was less competition and the country could capitalise on the low tourism period.
Now Vincy Mas is the leading driver for the tourism industry, attracting visitors from all over the Caribbean and beyond.
SVG’s Minister of Tourism and Culture Cecil “Ces” McKie said last year that ministry has seen annual growth in the numbers over the two-month period of Carnival, with air arrivals reaching 15,000.
“It is one of our premier events,” said Ricardo Adams, chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC).
Adams is in T&T together with Marketing and Development Officer Ezzie Roberts to promote the island’s Carnival and other major events on their calendar.
They are also here to support their artistes Problem Child, one of the favourites in the final of the International Soca Monarch competition and 2019 Road March winner Skinny Fabulous who held his FamJam concert at Estate 101.
With music proving to be the driver in the popularity of some regional Carnivals like St Lucia, the CDC is also using the popularity of those two singers to showcase other talents from their country.
Those artistes include 2019 Ragga Soca Winner Hance John, Luta, Rodney Small and Casper.
“We incorporated a lot of our artistes in our Carifesta contingent so people would start to learn the names. We take the mandate of development very seriously,” said Roberts.
