TT could be world’s party capital, says visitor

CARNIVAL is the answer to Trinidad and Tobago’s crime problem, according to Miami Beach resident Bob Bunst.

Bunst, a visitor to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival for the last 12 years, said a lot of foreigners would like to come to this country to experience Carnival but most of them have difficulty getting here for February or March. However, he believes if Carnival-type celebrations,  minus the competitions, are held throughout the year in different parts of the country, visitors would come. Bunst, 49, said he has produced two Carnival celebrations in Miami Beach — “Second Chance” and “Lovers Carnival” —  and he knows there are demands for more festivals of this type. He suggested that the Government target the energy sector to fund the festival since “that kind of funding  would be like a drop of oil in an oil drum for petroleum companies, they could afford it and besides they will also benefit from this”.

He pointed out that a lot of foreigners saw the country as the party capital of the world and the government should take advantage of this and market it as such. He further pointed out that conferences and seminars could be organised so that visiting delegations could hold their business meetings and  have a place to relax, party  and have fun. “Trinidad will become a fun place to come to, to hold conferences, seminars and trade shows. In that way businesses will be making money, the Government will be making money, the mas men will have a forum to showcase their costumes all the time instead of destroying them after Carnival and the ‘little man’ or the man on the street would also have the opportunity to make money. “With everybody benefiting the crime situation will automatically be reduced,” he suggested. Bunst said he has arranged to meet with Prime Minster Patrick Manning, TIDCO and other stakeholders to try to sell the idea that all-year community Carnivals is the answer to the country’s crime problem.

He also said he is currently working on a World’s Fair Pavilion in Miami Beach to promote Caribbean Carnival, its costumes and music. He believes the two countries could work together to make this a success. Bunst explained that he could publicize Trinidad Carnival at his festival in Miami Beach and during the Miami Beach Festival costumes and calypsonians from Trinidad could make appearances. He explained that the celebrations could be planned for a different community every month of the year, that way the members of that particular community would be able to benefit and these mini festivals would be a lead up to the actual competitions in February/ March. Bunst further explained that twining the countries to host these festivals would benefit Trinidad since Miami Beach is already a tourist destination that attracts over 75 million visitors per year. “With all the problems the world is facing with wars and terrorism, Trinidad could be marketed as the country that offers stress relief, the party capital of the world,” he said.