Carnival in Jamaica will only continue to grow, says Seiveright

STATE minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright says he will be working closely with Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Entertainment Olivia Grange, and Carnival in Jamaica Chairman Kamal Bankay, along with key private sector stakeholders, to further strengthen collaboration and expand the economic impact of Carnival in Jamaica.

Seiveright told the Jamaica Observer that the continued growth of Carnival underscores its increasing value as a driver of business activity — particularly for micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs).

“Direct expenditure for Carnival-related activities amounted to $7.7 billion last year alone. That’s a huge deal,” noted Seiveright as he underscored that that the benefits extend well beyond the bands and revellers, touching a wide cross section of the economy.

“The hotels in Kingston are booked, Airbnb’s, restaurants, cook shops, caterers, taxi operators, bus operators, car rental companies, costume designers, band operators, disc jockeys, photographers, videographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, nail techs, barbers, peanut vendors, lighting crews, sound engineers, and food vendors all benefit,” added Seiveright.

He pointed to what he described as Kingston’s growing readiness to host larger and more structured event offerings.

“Kingston is properly positioned for more scheduled big events and multi-day experiences. We now have a decent base of hotel rooms and a strong Airbnb market, complemented by quick and easy access to Ocho Rios, St Ann, and other resort areas with additional room stock,” said Seiveright.

The state minister also commended the leadership of major Carnival bands, including Xodus Carnival, Yardmas Carnival, and GenXS Carnival, for elevating the product.

“They have helped transform the Carnival experience in Jamaica, offering a premium, globally competitive product that attracts visitors willing to spend and invest in the destination,” declared Seiveright.

Looking ahead, Seiveright underscored the importance of structured collaboration to unlock even greater value.

“We are keen on working closely with all stakeholders to further refine the model, reducing costs where possible, improving logistics, strengthening coordination, and ensuring that the benefits continue to expand across the economy,” he said.

“Our focus is clear — to build out Carnival and events more broadly as a major economic driver while ensuring that Jamaican businesses, especially our MSMEs, are at the centre of the opportunity,” Seiveright added.

Source: Jamaica Observer