Carnival was spectacular, very successful – PM

Although the numbers have not yet been released, Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves says that numerous private entities, including event promoters, have benefitted from VincyMas 2025.

The Prime Minister noted that during the climax of VincyMas 2025 he was in Montego Bay, Jamaica attending the 49th Regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which ran from July 6-8, but from the report he received, the carnival “was spectacular” and “very successful”.

“I want to begin by congratulating Rodney Small (Chief Executive Officer of the Carnival Development Corporation- CDC) …and all the stakeholders- the CDC Board, the Chairman, all the various components, the mas, the pan, Calypso, Soca- the people who participate on the streets, everyone…,” the Prime Minister said at a press conference earlier this month.

He underscored that the presence of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) made it possible for a lot of people to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), pointing out that there were days when up to four international flights were arriving at the AIA around the same time.

“…I understand that all the hotel rooms were booked, the guest houses, Airbnb- the rental cars were all out,” he added.

“The taxi men did very well…the restaurateurs, roadside bars and so on and so forth.

“I understand that it was wonderful. And what made me very happy, too, was that we didn’t have any serious- quote, unquote- criminal incident.”

The Prime Minister also said he was very happy to see the private fetes “making so much money, and people enjoying themselves…”.

He concluded that the results were “absolutely wonderful”, and he again went on to extend congratulations to all involved.

“In fact, one of the things now you’re having is that debate…are the private fetes pulling people from Victoria Park? Responding to that question, Dr Gonsalves said, “Well, the fact of the matter, the private fetes are a permanent feature of Carnival. It’s a free and democratic country. We can’t stop people having them, and the CDC Act is not crafted in a way to stop it”.

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