BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TOURISM Minister Lindsay Grant is welcoming the announcement that the Federation has relaxed some of its COVID-19 measures, including the disclosure that Rapid Antigen Tests will now be accepted for entry into the two islands.
That comes as tourism officials are now in the phase of ramping up marketing efforts for the destination and also for the promotion of the St. Kitts Music Festival.
While addressing a gathering at the launch of the event on Friday (Mar. 25) evening, Grant revealed that the Festival provides a significant boost to the economy.
Citing 2018 data, the Minister pointed out that that year was a record breaking period for all stagings of the Festival.
Spending for that period on economic activities was estimated at $13 million, and adds EC$5 million to the country’s gross domestic product.
“The findings also revealed that the total number of jobs attributed to the St. Kitts Music Festival was almost 2,260 persons. This included part time jobs, jobs that lasted only one day and jobs that were generated outside of the Festival,” noted Grant.
Benefits were also gained in the following year as the Government saw an increase in attendance of 27,000 up from the 14,000 in the previous year, and records broken in all indicators.
Now that the COVID-19 is under control in St. Kitts-Nevis, the Government is expecting more success that can result in an economic rebound.
For the 2022 June 23-25 event, the Festival is boasting of 27 local, regional and international performers and bands, from Ashanti, Nadia Batson, Sean Paul, Rucas H.E. Dejour and the Small Axe Band.
With there still being pent up demand for travel and the Government seeking to revitalise the tourism sector, the Music Festival is being seen as one such avenue to rebound.
Grant believes that the mega event would boost employment, visitor arrivals, revenue generation and circulation.
This is the first staging of a major large scale event since the removal of some of the COVID-19 measures.
