A 20 million dollar budget has been approved for a “Taste of Carnival” by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. The National Carnival Commission has been allocated $15,000,000.00 while $5,000,000.00 will be provided for sponsorship support to a number of smaller, separately promoted safe zone types of events.

The ministry explained more about the details of the plan in the press release below:

“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts is pleased to announce that support for Trinidad and Tobago’s “Taste of Carnival” has been approved. The budget allocated to the National Carnival Commission is fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000.00) for the hosting of its events along with the three special interest groups, Pan Trinbago, TUCO, and the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association.

A further maximum of five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) will be provided in sponsorship support to a number of smaller, separately promoted safe zone type of events. This sponsorship will assist in offsetting some expenditure related to the payment of artistes and performance fees to the creatives involved through the Ministry’s approved application process.

Funding for a “Taste of Carnival” will be sourced from the Ministry of Finance, as well as from usual revenue streams related to sponsorship as well as gate receipts received by the NCC and the separate event promotions.

The persons involved in our cultural and creative sectors, including those involved in the promotion of events, have been some of the hardest hit during this continuing pandemic, having been virtually shut down for almost two years. And it is with great anticipation and hope that these Carnival events to be executed during the dubbed “Taste of Carnival”, signals a cautious restart of the entertainment sector in the overall economy.

In addressing the development, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell said, “The bulk of this budgetary allocation will be going to those who have been most impacted by the pandemic: the artistes, the performers, the pan men, the artisans, and those to be employed in ushering, security, and other areas in an industry that is labour intensive. Without the pan men, performers, creators of mas, promoters and support staff, our Carnival could not be as successful and world-renowned as it is.

Since the announcement of a “Taste of Carnival”, the Special Interest Groups have also reported an increase in vaccinations, as the creatives and those otherwise involved in the Carnival process are eager to participate and practice their craft. Minister Mitchell also emphasized the mandate that all events will be held within the Public Health Regulations for vaccinated persons only under the guidelines of Government’s Safe Zone initiative.

Minister Mitchell also said, “The tourism, hospitality, entertainment and events sectors contribute approximately sixteen billion dollars to our Gross Domestic Product annually, with most of the industries’ inputs being local and a wide net of direct and indirect local beneficiaries: from the labourer erecting infrastructure, the service providers, the promoters, artistes and performers all coming together to set the entertainment atmosphere alight. The high value of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, our culture, and the events industry that surround it is self-evident and undeniable and Government will continue to support it.

Although the public health regulations continue to restrict other activities such as fetes and parties, we continue to work with all stakeholders in a concerted effort in the recovery of the creative sector which is a major driver of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic development.” Minister Mitchell continued, “We are committed to continue supporting artistes, performers, and all creatives who make the industry what it is today.”