American Airlines’ wheels had barely touched the tarmac when it was announced that government would hold a “non-stop” concert at Brandywine Bay (that popular tourist spot) to celebrate the arrival of non-stop flights from the United States.

This, even though there had already been a big welcome ceremony at the airport. This concert was to be free and bring in loads of tourists on those same planes.

Then it was announced that government would provide $250,000 “towards the cost of the concert,” indicating that putting it on would actually cost more than that. So who would provide the rest of the cost?

Then, after an outcry from the public, we were told that this was not “new money,” but was already budgeted in the BVI Tourist Board’s accounts.

So was there a line item saying “$250,000 towards concert to celebrate the arrival of direct flights from US”? Or even a “miscellaneous” item?

If there was, can someone let me have the lottery numbers for next week? I’m sure when the budget was drawn up and approved, such an item was not even thought of.

 

Contradiction

Then we were told that not all the $250,000 would be used for the concert. So is it going to cost less than $250,000? I doubt it, if the National Parks Trust debacle in 2011 is an indication. And of course the annual music fests never made any money — for government anyway.

Then we learned that the venue would move to the Festival Village Grounds. After it was pointed out that Festival starts a month later, it was decreed that this would be the first item of Festival and that the stage and so on could remain, idle but paid for, until Festival proper started.

I would love to know the name of the bright spark that suggested this idea.

The public don’t think it is the best use of our tax money, but I expect residents will attend because it is free.

The latest from the Tourist Board is that they either don’t know how much the concert will cost, and/or they will tell us after it’s over. They have no idea how many people will come on the new flights, but they say a lot of residents stand to benefit from extra trade. Cost-wise, this concert could be “a legend in its own time.” I read that the same bands will be performing in the US Virgin Islands in the days before, so we are unlikely to get many visitors from there.

 

 

Overseas attendees?

It will be interesting to see how many people come from overseas for a one-night event other than the performers. I am sure we have no means of counting them.

Government should not get involved in commercial ventures, which this is. Prospect Reef, anyone? It should be left to the Tourist Board, but — oh yes, the premier is the minister for tourism, so that’s all right then.

I may be wrong, so let’s hope it’s a roaring success tomorrow.