WIADCA IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC
STIMULUS TO THE TOURISM
MARKET OF NEW YORK CITY AND
STATE
As the fiscal crisis of the Federal, State and New York City
budgets appears to fluctuate
and in some arenas worsen;
WIADCA plays a pivotal role
as an economic stimulus for
New York City and New York
State. Crain’s New York
Business states in the
January 1, 2009 edition that
New York City’s economic
plan “can start with the
city’s vital tourism
trade.” It also states in
the February 9, 2009
article, “IDEAS TO HELP NY’s
ECONOMY”, that tourism
should “Emphasize
International Travelers and
Attract Regional
Audiences”. These are both
key factors in WIADCA’s
Labor Day attendance.
According to an Empire State
Development Corporation (ESDC)
report conducted by the
LUGANO Group, the Carnival
contributes an annual
approximated $86 million (at
2003 dollar value and
$101,277,619 for 2010 dollar
value) to New York
City’s revenue.
Revenue Financial Implications for Brooklyn and Greater New York
Empire State Funded 2003 Lugano Study
· On the basis of 3 Million visitors the total projected 2010
revenue is $303,832,857
· Estimated NY States sales tax revenues generated by
Carnival 2003 were $7,
038,000 per million
($24,864,833.25 three
million visitors’ dollar
value for 2010, with
adjustments)
· Approximately $6,831,000 was generated in 2003 NY City tax
revenues ($24,133,514.64
projected 2010 dollar value,
with adjustments)
·
450,000 additional MTA
subway riders
That revenue is due in large part to both the Carnival’s
International tourism and
regional audiences that
attend each year from the
surrounding states. In
addition,
· WIADCA has positioned itself as the premier West Indian
American Carnival of the
Western Hemisphere and as
one of BIZ BASH
Magazines’ top 3 out of 100
annual Holiday events in New
York City. This year we
are listed as number 3, up
from number 4 in 2009!
Tourism Impact
·
Airlines and Brooklyn Hotels at full capacity
·
Visitors plan annual calendars specifically to include the Labor
Day weekend
* Visitors come from the following national and global
communities:
* Australia, Brazil, Africa, Japan, China, England,
France, Canada, etc.
* All Caribbean Islands
* Across USA and Tri State Area
Economic
Impact on Region’s
businesses and participants
NYC Council Committee on Economic Development September 2002
Hearing states:
“WIADCA obtains the needed permits and deals with City officials.
However, the dances, shows and parties throughout the City that are
part and parcel of the
Carnival are run by
individual promoters who
operate independently of
WIADCA. The various
steelbands and masquerade
bands that participate in
the Carnival are also all
privately organized.”
·
Without corporate sponsors,
the costs to hundreds of
individual men and women who
spend their own hard-earned
money to produce MAS
costumes has sky-rocketed in
recent years. The
dedication exemplifies
extremely strong cultural
ties to a heritage which has
helped to "beautify" the
Mardi Gras type Carnival
tourism product that WIADCA
presents each year to New
York and the world.
·
Costume Bands/Groups are fearful of the drastic implications should
there be any form of
route limitation which will
seriously impact on the
"tourism product" provided
to the millions of visitors.
·
During these tough economic times, vendors and other contractors
who usually depend on the
business of the carnival
have also voiced their
concerns as they will also
be economically affected by
the city’s decision.
Culture of the Carnival will be altered
* A major concern is that any reduction in time will also reduce
participation to
MASQUERADE BANDS
ONLY.
NYC Council Committee on Economic Development September 2002
Hearing states:
Statement from Mayor Rudy Giuliani:
The West Indian Day Carnival has grown from a community-oriented
festival into NYC’s biggest
parade, drawing an annual
estimated revenue of $300
million to the city”. As
stated by former Mayor
Giuliani, “West Indians
enrich the cultural
diversity of New York City
and have contributed to its
economic resurgence while at
the same time preserving
their unique heritage and
identity…” Many believe
that, with additional
investments of funding and
the provision of technical
assistance to sponsors of
the Carnival festivities,
New York City and its
residents and businesses are
poised to realize even
greater economic gains.
·
2009
Better organized than ever
before
o The Carnival is the
safest and largest organized
event in the country
o WIADCA has worked in
conjunction with the NYPD
and PBBS to refine and
reduce unnecessary usage of
NYPD resources
o WIADCA has cut its
time and route steadily over
the years and we are
considered LEAN TO THE BONE.
o The strong
relationship that we have
developed with the NYPD has
taken over 42 years to
develop and we do not want
anything to interfere with
that perfect relationship.
Our community and the
success of the Carnival
depends on that bond.
WIADCA is confident Mayor Bloomberg and his City Officials
will recognize the
overwhelming economic
benefits of this Mardi Gras
type Carnival that Caribbean
people have so generously
"gifted" to New York and
will do everything in their
power to preserve, promote
and assist in its growth for
future generations.
From the
News Desk of WIADCA
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