$2.5 billion loss in entertainment, sport in two months – EAB boss
Published:Tuesday | April 21, 2020 | 12:00 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
AN EYE-WATERING $2.5 billion is the figure representing the loss in the entertainment and sporting industries in the last two months. In breaking down this number, Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB) Chairman Howard McIntosh listed events such as carnival, the usually busy Easter weekend activities, and various sporting events.
“The loss from events for the period is approximately $1.8 billion. This includes carnival, sporting events such as Champs, Kingston City Run and football, in particular Red Stripe Premier League. Add to that losses from events over the Easter weekend. Then we must add the losses from entertainers working in the hotels and the various event companies. Not to mention the ticketing companies, the concessionaires, the vendors, the security companies, gatemen, technical service providers. It approaches $2.5 billion for just March and April,” he shared with The Gleaner.
He also pointed out that the industry’s contribution to foreign exchange earnings is now better appreciated. “The [entertainment] industry is a consistent earner of foreign exchange,” he emphasised.
TIME TO RESET
McIntosh stated that the industry is using this as an opportunity to reset. He further disclosed that at the monthly meeting of the EAB on April 15, all members agreed to the Government’s thrust of taking an industry-centred approach to providing relief for entertainment professionals and businesses. “In addition to the CARE package outlined by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) has identified J$75m to assist in offsetting the fallout currently being faced by the culture, arts and entertainment sectors due to the effects of COVID-19,” he explained.
He detailed that the MCGES, following an online survey which probed the effects of COVID-19 on the culture, arts and entertainment industry in Jamaica, proposed a relief package specifically for the industry.
McIntosh noted that those who stand to benefit must be formalised and urged those who are not, to do so immediately. Industry players must be registered on the National Registry of Entertainment and Creative Practitioners (eRegistry) in order to be considered. Registration with an established, recognised industry association is also encouraged.
“We encourage creative professionals to email the Entertainment Division of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport at registry@mcges.gov.jm to get more information on registering on the eRegistry, getting timely updates on the existing incentives available to practitioners, as well as accessing any of the relief packages that will be made available to the creative industry.
McIntosh also took the time to laud the industry leaders and association presidents who have collaborated and provided valuable feedback in assisting the Government to activate a package that will impact as many professionals and businesses in the creative sector.
He pledged the EAB’s continued support of the Government’s initiatives, “while advocating for a holistic approach to ensuring the local creative industry is able to recover in the shortest possible time from this global health crisis and economic downturn”.