Editor: Please permit me a space to express something that is on my mind. I am not sure who I should be addressing here. I am a Vincentian living in the diaspora and I have been boasting that St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has the greatest carnival in the world. I have hyped up the show like there is no tomorrow. I have invited everyone I know to watch and I have convinced quite a few.{{more}}

Here is the problem; there is no way for us to watch the shows. Should I address the minister of tourism for missing this great opportunity to showcase our country’s best resource (its people)? Or should I address the chairman of the carnival development corporation for having the best show in the world and failing to effectively market it? I thought about addressing the minister of finance for missing such a brilliant opportunity to bring in much needed revenue.

I was told that the TV rights rest with the communication company Flow and they have several packages for viewers in St Vincent and the rest of the Caribbean region. Well that is great, but what about the rest of the world? There are thousands of interested parties who are willing and (I must add) very able to pay to see these shows. I think it is time we stop lighting a candle and putting it under the bed. I hope that this message reaches the right person and that something can be worked out so that the best carnival in the world gets the exposure it deserves.

The best product is not always the one that is the most profitable. You can have the best product in the world and if you do not market it right it will fail. The good news is we have the best product. All it needs is a little marketing. We have an international airport on the way. This is the type of exposure that is going to increase demand for travel to the country. This is not a political post. I am not pointing fingers or casting blame. I am saying that I keep hearing and believe that St Vincent has the best carnival in the world except the world needs a way to see it.

TDVincy