Good morning,

Today, I am joined by Jasmine Furbert from the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Jalen Harvey, the Chair of the Bermuda National Events and Entertainment Committee. The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport's Vision is "To Develop and Celebrate Our People”.

Through its commitment to fostering increased collaboration between the cultural, sport and tourism sectors to drive economic growth and innovation, the Government is proud to have supported Carnival in Bermuda, one of the island's premier cultural tourism events. The event strengthens Bermuda's tourism product, creates economic opportunities for Bermudians, and showcases the island's culture to residents and visitors alike.

Carnival in Bermuda brought visitors from around the world to our island for six days of music and culture. Thank you to the Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Carnival in Bermuda organisers, NovaMas International, Party People Entertainment, and all organisers, artists, vendors, volunteers and staff who helped deliver this year's events.

From family-friendly programming to concerts, fetes and Revel de Road, Bermuda once again showed that we can host a visitor experience that supports tourism, showcases local talent and brings Bermudians and guests together. Appreciation is also extended to the Bermuda Police Service, emergency services, traffic teams and all those who worked across the holiday weekend to help keep residents and visitors safe.

Carnival in Bermuda continues to demonstrate the value of investing in experiences that strengthen our tourism product, create economic opportunities for Bermudians, and showcase our culture on an international stage.

Government's support was not simply an investment in a weekend of events. It was an investment in local artists, vendors, entrepreneurs, hospitality workers and the many businesses that benefit from increased visitor activity. Our goal is to ensure that public investment creates meaningful opportunities for Bermudians while helping to position Bermuda as a vibrant destination capable of delivering world-class cultural and entertainment experiences.

Government support for entertainment and cultural events is a budgeted expenditure approved by the Legislature through the annual Budget process. In the 2025/26 Budget, $1.6 million was allocated to support Bermuda's entertainment sector and the opportunities it creates for artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. In the 2026/27 Budget, $1 million was allocated for similar initiatives.

For Carnival in Bermuda 2026, the Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport provided a total of $444,000 in support across 14 carnival-related events and programming as follows:

• Old School Fete – $6,000
• Army Fete – $10,000
• We Love Dancehall – $10,000
• Glow – $11,000
• Evolve – $12,000
• Machel Montano on the Road – $20,000
• Nova Mas (Swizzle Sunrise & Nova Road Experience) – $50,000
• Waves Concert – $150,000
• Carnival in Bermuda (Operational Grant for events including Launch Event, Family Fete, Jammin’ Still, Pan in the Park, JAM J’ouvert, and Revel de Road) – $175,000

This funding supported event operations, cultural programming, marketing initiatives, visitor experiences, and opportunities for local artists, entertainers, vendors and service providers.

Throughout the planning process, the Ministry maintained oversight of budgets, programming and event delivery to ensure public funds were used responsibly and delivered value to Bermuda. Particular emphasis was placed on increasing opportunities for Bermudian artists and performers, supporting local businesses and vendors, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The investment supported opportunities for Bermudian artists to perform alongside internationally recognised talent, increased opportunities for local vendors and businesses, strengthened cultural programming, and contributed to visitor experiences that benefit Bermuda's tourism industry.

Carnival in Bermuda continues to attract visitors from overseas while generating economic activity for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, retailers and other local businesses. The event also provides a platform for Bermudian talent and contributes to Bermuda's reputation as a destination capable of hosting major cultural and entertainment events.

Preliminary estimates project that Carnival in Bermuda 2026 will generate approximately $1.47 million in visitor economic activity, representing more than three times the Government's direct investment. Beyond the direct economic activity generated by the events, Carnival in Bermuda provided valuable international exposure for the island through earned media, influencer partnerships and digital content creation, extending Bermuda's visibility to audiences across key tourism markets.

As Bermuda continues to compete on the global stage, the Government will continue to support strategic cultural tourism investments approved by the Legislature through the annual Budget process, investments that strengthen our economy, create opportunities for Bermudians, celebrate our culture, and reinforce Bermuda's position as a premier destination.