For decades, all-out parties have been a staple in Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival calendar.
Patrons have paid hundreds or more than $1,000 for an all-inclusive slice ticket over the years.
After a two-year hiatus from Carnival due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has returned to celebrating Carnival, most of which include inclusive events.
While some holidays have seen a huge increase in prices due to inflation and other factors, other all inclusive organizers decided to cancel because they were unable to keep costs down.
And as the party landscape evolves, other promoters have chosen to downsize their events to semi-all-inclusives that only offer drinks.
There are other parties that switched to cooler events as a more economical alternative for customers.
Since the start of the carnival season, over 100 all-inclusive parties have already taken place, including morning and evening parties, with many more planned in the coming weeks.
Think back to the early 1990s, when a $100 ticket allowed a patron to attend an all-inclusive party with food and entertainment that primarily featured DJ music, a live band and performances by calypsonians.
Thirty years ago, the University of the West Indies’ all-inclusive party, which has become a cultural staple in the carnival calendar, pioneered the all-inclusive experience.
However, as the all-inclusive party continues to be oversubscribed with premium drinks such as scotch and champagne, a host of gourmet food and entertainment from some of the country’s most popular soca bands, social media users have shared their thoughts on the prices of all-inclusive holidays, which can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500.
Depending on the event, an all-inclusive package can cost as much as several thousand dollars.
But are customers getting their money’s worth?
John Arnold, chief executive of the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd, said in a recent phone interview that regardless of price, there will be support for inclusive festivals because of the kind of exclusivity these events offer patrons.
Arnold, who was an integral player in the formulation and development of several local festivals, including the Tobago Jazz Experience and the Tobago Blue Food Festival, said, “I don’t see people moving away from that sense of exclusivity. From what I’m seeing, people want exclusivity regardless of cost. So all-inclusive carnival parties, such as the $1,200 UWI party, are truly exclusive events.”
Arnold said organizing any event can be a balancing act for a promoter or event planner.
“I understand and have empathy for those people who are hosts, but as a consumer, I have to look at the benefits I get when I go to an event. A big thing that I’m seeing more is opportunities or efforts for promoters to have higher revenue, so they’re creating options like VVIP and all kinds of categories,” he said.
Arnold believes that the cost of attending all-inclusive parties can be justified because the logistics of hosting these parties can be expensive.
“As a consumer it’s expensive, but there are some natural practical things we have to think about. To begin with, regulatory issues are really costly; for example, you not only pay royalties from the performing site, but you also have to pay for neighboring rights, the fire brigade, the police and all other service providers, and in some cases, private security, and then the cost of infrastructure and so on.
“I promote events myself, and frankly, whether you’re doing a simple show or not, the cost is the cost and we have to live with that,” Arnold said.
Dr Deidre Charles, director of the Student Services and Development Division (DSSD) at UWI, St Augustine, who is also a member of the UWI fete committee, said: “The last UWI fete in 2019 cost $1,200 and three years of late, our cost has remained the same despite significant increases in the cost of hosting an event like this.
“The cost of attending this all-inclusive celebration has increased over the years. However, unlike its first iterations, patrons have much more variety in terms of premium drinks, cuisine and entertainment on offer,” said Charles.
The UWI party takes place today.
Charles said customers may be able to buy their own food and drinks in the future.
“During the holiday, we considered a combination of an all-inclusive holiday as well as offering our customers the opportunity to purchase holiday items.
“We believe that if this change is applied to future iterations of UWI Fete, it will allow even more people to support our ‘party for a cause’ while catering to the varying budgets of our target audience,” she said.
Charles’ involvement with UWI Fete began some 18 years ago when she became a director on the board of the UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF).
She said: “From the start, I was passionate about the cause and that made it easy to give my unequivocal support. The process of finding funds and donors, selecting students and awarding scholarships and bursaries fall under my responsibility at DSSD.
“I cannot overstate the immense gratitude on the faces of the recipients and, most importantly, the invaluable contribution to the realization of their goals and dreams.”
Randy Glasgow, a promoter with nearly two decades of experience, said in most cases, given the current state of the economy, it is difficult for promoters involved in the inclusive space to give patrons their money’s worth.
“As promoters, we shy away from inclusive events because, when you do the math, treating clients in an inclusive way is quite expensive.
“To give people their money’s worth for six to seven hours of partying is difficult and can run you about $300 per person just for food. When it comes to drinks, premium drinks can run you around $350 to $400 per person, so you see where you’re already at around $700, and then you have to add all the amenities, bathrooms and attendants, so that you’re looking at almost $1,000 and up to treat your clients, and people don’t want to pay that kind of money,” Glasgow said.
Glasgow, which has hosted some of the country’s biggest events including Battle of the Sexes, will host Soca for Her on February 3.
It will present some of the country’s best female artists.
He told the Sunday Express that live entertainment can cost upwards of $200,000 in some cases.
“I haven’t even mentioned the fun yet. Entertainment prices increased and prices vary. If you have to book entertainment, it can cost a promoter or event planner anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000. You’ll get a little cheaper, but to draw a crowd, you’re talking $20,000 and up,” Glasgow said.
Inclusive events associated with several high schools and restaurant chains continue to be a success largely because of the right support and connections, he said.
“People will continue to support inclusive school parties, which are fundraisers,” he said, noting that they draw support from various sectors, including alumni groups.
