[UPDATED] Culture secretary: Tobago carnival may cost less than $12.5m allocated

THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris says the expenditure for Tobago’s second carnival may fall below its $12.5 million budget.

Last year, the THA had a budget of $17.5 million for the island’s inaugural October carnival but its actual expenditure was between $12 and $13 million.

The carnival, which began on Friday, culminated on Sunday with traditional mas and a parade of the bands through the streets of Scarborough.

Burris said, “So far, we have not tabulated yet but I think we would stick within budget. I am a prudent person. I don’t like to spend any more than I should.

“I think we may come in under again this year.

“But in the coming days, we will do the final tabulations and I’ll be able to report back about that.”

She described this year’s festival as spectacular.

“I think we were able to achieve a number of the goals that we had set for ourselves in terms of increased local participation from residents and a higher standard and quality of the events we executed.

“ I think we were able to end with a climax in terms of having our traditional meet our contemporary.”

Burris said she was especially pleased to have Tan Tan and Saga Boy in Tobago for the parade.

She believes the carnival has improved from last year.

“In our second year, we have immensely improved on the first year. We know that there are some things that we can continue to improve on but we appreciate all the persons who have bought into the carnival.

“We appreciate all of our visitors who have come from Trinidad, from the rest of the Caribbean and internationally. All we have been getting are rave reviews.”

But Burris said there is always room for improvement.

“Certainly, we will look at the carnival holistically, see where we could continue to improve. But I think that Tobago carnival has proven itself and that it is a product that is here to stay.”

Asked to identify areas that can be improved, she mentioned Pan Trinbago’s Rhythm, Pan & Powder in Scarborough on Friday.

“This is an event I think will grow. The challenge we had with it was that it fell out of the proclaimed period of the carnival.

“So just like last year, the challenge we had with the police was the same challenge we had this year. I think one of the challenges we had was putting that element in the proclaimed period so that we would not have that challenge again next year.”

Tobago carnival gold commander ACP Collis Hazel described the event as the “safest and last carnival in the world.”

He said there were “nil reports of serious crimes in Tobago for the carnival period.”

Hazel thanked the security team, stakeholders and masqueraders for their support.

Regarding occupancy levels within the accommodation sector, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association president Alpha Lorde said he should have a report by Wednesday.