Western Jamaica is expected to earn in excess of $3 billion when the Jazz and Blues Festival is staged later this month, says the event organisers.

Preparations are well underway for the annual show, which will be staged in Greenfields, Trelawny.

If the estimations are realized, then business interests including hoteliers, restaurants and vendors could benefit from a billion dollars a day over the three major nights.

Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions, producers of the festival, said the event is expected to turn over major funds for the parishes of Western Jamaica.

“Easily almost a billion dollars a day is spent during the period of the Jamaica Jazz fest. When you consider that five to six thousand rooms are solidly booked at an average of US$350 per room, that alone translates into over US$2 million or JM$1.5 billion. In addition to this are taxes and meals, which on average amounts to about US$170 per day per person,” Elmore said.

Indeed, according to Falmouth Mayor, Collin Gager, the event will provide a well needed boost for the business interests in Trelawny.

“We are really happy to be hosting the Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawny for the second year in a row. Last year it resulted in a boost for business activities in around the parish and we expect similar returns this time around,” the Mayor said.

Founded in 1996, the festival now attracts an audience of over 30,000 and has solidified its reputation and position as one of the premier events in the region.

Elmore went on to say that Turnkey’s investment in the festival will result in tangible spin offs for the communities.

“Our investment in Western Jamaica is quite significant and translates into hundreds of jobs, new business opportunities and several other economic and social spin offs. As the producers of the world renowned event, we are happy to know that the festival is contributing to the development of Montego Bay and the country’s overall progress,” Elmore said.

Elmore went on to say that the budget for the festival is split almost equally between artiste fees and production costs.

“About 55 to 60 per cent of the budget goes into artiste fees, accommodation and meals for the artistes while 40 to 45 per cent is allotted for production costs,” Elmore explained.

“Sponsorship accounts of 40 per cent of our entire budget,” he added.

Safia Cooper, brand manager Johnnie Walker & Baileys, two of the sponsors of the festival, says that the economic benefits to Jamaica are one of the major reasons why Johnnie Walker and Baileys has continued to be a part of the event.

“The Jazz festival is very important to the continued visibility and success of Brand Jamaica. Johnnie Walker and Baileys is committed to nation building and we realize that through our sponsorship the country will benefit,” Cooper said.

Keri Ann McKenzie, brand manager for Heineken, also expressed similar sentiments, saying that Heineken would celebrate the 10th anniversary of its sponsorship of the festival this year.

“It’s a special year for Heineken. This is the tenth year of our sponsorship of this world-renowned event. We are truly happy to be a part of it,” McKenzie commented.

Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Heineken fall under the Red Stripe portfolio, the official alcohol sponsor of the festival.

Several hoteliers concur with Elmore, saying that their properties’ resorts enjoy high occupancy levels during the period leading up to and right after the festival.

Storeowners and restauranteurs as well say that during this period they experience up to a 20 per cent increase in sales. Twisted Kilt is one such spot that enjoys good business during this time of the year.

“The Twisted Kilt is a hot spot for the patrons of the Jazz festival, many persons visit our location each night. We definitely enjoy increased volumes in terms of sales,” said twisted Kilt boss Andre Dixon.

Elmore reiterated that importance of cooperation between all the business interests in St James and Trelawny, to the success of the event and went on to say that the involvement and sponsorship support of the business community was critical to the success of Jazz festival.