Soca tourism a plus for economy

Anybody from Antigua?

Anybody from Grenada?

Anybody from Barbados?

Anybody from Guyana? 

 

It’s a question soca artistes love to pose to soca connoisseurs when they are enthralled in the throes of sweet soca ecstacy. Chairman of Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF), William Munro, made good on the invitation and promoted soca tourism. As T&T gears up for the 20th edition of the International Soca Monarch 2012 finals at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain tomorrow,  Munro said soca tourism was being encouraged and promoted. Guardian Media Limited is the official media sponsor.

 

Munro said: “T&T will show the world and its Caribbean neighbours we can deliver a first-class quality product. The big show in the Carnival is Soca Monarch. The town is awash with visitors. We are  able to reach millions of people globally. There are a lot of spinoffs for the artistes.”  Quoting statistics from the Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston Peters, Munro added: “Last year, Gypsy said we had 65,000 tourists. This year they said about 220,000 visitors were to come in. All hotels have been sold out. The airline will be getting a lot of work. That is what I have been  saying for years. We have to promote soca to the world. “People who cannot come, they are sending their family. It is called Fantastic Friday because it’s super fantastic.” In 2007, Barbados Biggie Irie copped the Groovy Monarch title with Nah Goin Home. Grenada’s Talpree has competed in previous years. For C2k12, Antigua’s Puck Puck man will be competing in the finals.

 

Economy benefits 

Coupled with visitors enjoying Carnivalesque celebrations, Munro said the economy would benefit, along with small businessmen. “Soca Monarch creates a lot of activity in the local economy. Beers and food are sold. People sample local fare like doubles, shark and bake and roti. People spend close  to $1 million. It could stimulate quite a lot of business activity. “We have to diversify the economy, in sports, agriculture and manufacturing industries to develop the human capital. T&T can pattern itself after India. They are developing technologically. Don’t wait until the oil and gas run out. Then you start to diversify,” Munro added.

 

Hoping to upstage Kees, Machel 

As the momentum heats up, artistes are seeking to clinch the coveted Digicel Power Soca Monarch title from reigning champion Machel  Montano. There will be a concerted effort to wrest the Play Whe title from reigning Groovy Soca Monarch champion Kees Dieffenthaller. As the night unfolds, soca connoisseurs will be treated to an exciting blend of theatre and soca music. Among the slew of artistes expected to unleash their soca magic are popular artistes like Blaxx, Destra Garcia, Kerwin Dubois, Nadia Batson and Swappi, the Bucket man.

 

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