BASSETERRE, St. Kitts- BARBADOS’ Minister of Culture, Stephen Lashley believes that more needs to done to push and further enhance cultural tourism in the region, which is soon to be a profitable sector within the local tourism market.
That statement comes against the backdrop of a study that was conducted which highlighted the importance Caribbean culture can play in the tourism sector.
Lashley, speaking at yesterday’s (Mar. 27) launch of the XIII Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in Bridgetown, explained that a pledged made by Ministers at the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Human and Social Development (CHOSD) back in Guyana in 2012, indicated that they would implement a new model for the Festival.
That model, according to Lashley, would be implemented on an incremental basis for future events. Additionally, it drew on the view “that greater emphasis should be placed on the development of the culture industry within the region as well as festival tourism”.
Citing a study undertaken by the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, the Culture Minister noted that “it was concluded that there was investment opportunity opened to the Caribbean in [the] creative industry, which was premised by a number of things; rising demands for domestic and regional content, literary work, function and festivals; growth in alternative musical genres such as Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Merengue, Salsa and Zouk”
Further, the study pointed to digital content and the growth of the new social media and other platforms for content sharing network opportunities.
“What this study told us, is that the creative industries had emerged in some cases or were emerging as a key growth sector in the Caribbean economy through their contribution to Gross Domestic Products, exports and employment.
“Opportunities were also presented for the creative industries to be used in destinations and intellectual property branding. After all, the region has given the world it's only musical instrument document in the 20th century - and of course, I refer to the steep pan.”
Pointing to a number of artistes that the region has given to the world, including Bob Marley and Rihanna, Lashley indicated that the region has “cultural assets that could be leveraged for the economic development of the region, and from which the region's economies can benefit immensely”.
The Culture Department and the Ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis have been pushing the culture agenda within the communities, as one way that “true St. Kitts and Nevis can be showcased” to visitors to the islands.
The 13th edition of the Festival is expected to see some 15 nations from the Caribbean, Europe and South America participating. Officials from St. Kitts and Nevis have signalled their intention to send a contingent.
