Jamaica Tourist Board reduces funding to 2011 jazz 'n' blues festival

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has this year slashed, by half, its sponsorship of the 15-year-old Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival slated for January 27-29 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett told The Gleaner that the tourist board has been seriously affected by the economic challenges sweeping the country and, therefore, had to cut its sponsorship this year from the US$500,000 it put up in 2010 to US$250,000.

"It's a tough time now for most of these big events that we are having. However, we are optimistic that there will be a greater level of sponsorship next year as arrivals and stopover improve and the earnings improve," Bartlett said.

Youth should boost earnings

The tourism minister noted that despite the cut in sponsorship, the country should still realise a substantive earning from the festival.

"We are hoping to rake in US$3 million from the festival. We are not expecting any major growth in earnings this year," Bartlett said. "We are now bringing another demographic, that of the youth with the inclusion of the group, Maroon Five, and the earnings from this grouping plus overseas Jamaicans should be added to the overall figure."

He added that the festival would continue to be an excellent source of income for St James and Trelawny.

Speaking during a press launch on Tuesday, Junior Taylor, of Turn Key Productions - promoter of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival - indicated that while they were unable to attract some other big names, the line-up was spectacular, fully ready, and equipped.