Kingston vendors and businesses across the island are being urged to stock up and prepare for an influx of visitors expected for BZR Weekend in October.
Speaking to THE STAR at the media launch for BZR Weekend at the AC Hotel yesterday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, said everyone from hotels and Airbnb operators to the “peanut man” could benefit from the arrival of tens of thousands of people for the four-day event, which is set to feature American rap superstar Cardi B.
“If you, for example, are a chicken vendor, obviously you’re going to have more chicken selling. You need to be ready for that for the whole weekend,” he said. He warned that vendors have often missed out on potential earnings because they were unable to meet increased demand.
“One of the problems we have is that many times we have these events and people are leaving, they’re trying to get out of the venue and checking for food, but the vendors run out. We’re asking you, for heaven’s sake, be prepared for the increased numbers and ensure you’re ready for that weekend,” he said.
Seiveright said the event’s economic impact could be felt across several sectors.
“When we have an artiste like Cardi B, the first point is brand value. This is an artiste with over 260 million followers on social media. There are very few people with that level of followership. That’s more than many countries on Earth,” he said.
Seiveright said the rapper’s global popularity would bring significant attention to Jamaica.
“She’s a megastar at every level in the US, Canada, the UK, all over the world. She brings attention to destination Jamaica, that’s the first big win.”
The second benefit, he said, would come from the spending of visitors and Jamaicans moving around Kingston during the weekend.
“That’s money for hotels, Airbnbs, but also barbers, hairstylists, Uber drivers, taxi operators, the peanut man, the jerk chicken vendors. It’s a lot of money flowing through the Kingston economy for a certain period of time,” he said.
During his speech, Seiveright said millions of US dollars were expected to flow through the Jamaican economy in October.
“Hotels will benefit, Airbnbs will benefit, restaurants, bars, food vendors, taxi operators, Uber drivers, fashion designers, barbers, hairstylists, nail technicians, beauty professionals, event producers, security, photographers, videographers, printers, caterers, decorators, micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Millions of US dollars will be flowing through the Jamaican economy in October, thanks to BZR Weekend.”
He also urged people planning to travel to Jamaica for the event to make arrangements early. Seiveright said the event was part of a wider push to establish Kingston and Jamaica as a major entertainment destination, “a destination where there is easy connectivity”.
“You can get a flight from anywhere in North America, Europe, come to Jamaica the same day. That’s an opportunity,” he said. “And we have the hotel rooms, we have the Airbnbs, and we have the culture, the vibe and the entertainment to keep people engaged.”
Seiveright said the success of BZR Weekend should not only be measured by what takes place on stage.
“It should also be measured by what happens behind the stage, in terms of what you’re doing with the hotels, the restaurants, the Airbnbs, the MSMEs and the impact on the wider economy of Jamaica,” he said.
“We expect great security. We expect great service. We expect full support from all Jamaicans and we expect huge numbers of visitors from the United States, Canada, Europe and elsewhere.”
