WHEN Dream Weekend kicks off later this evening, the party series is expected to pump almost $2 billion into Negril’s economy.

This is according to Dream Entertainment director Scott Dunn, who said that in addition to the hotels and restaurants, smaller entities such as the jerk vendors, bus and taxi drivers and others are set to benefit.

“Last year Dream Weekend pumped approximately $1.5 billion into the economy. This is as a result of increased Dream patronage, as well as more people out of the United Kingdom and Europe staying in Jamaica days after the series ended. We are expecting beaming numbers from the UK this year as the event continues to grow. Just about anyone in the hospitality field will benefit from Dream,” he told Splash yesterday.

Dream Weekend is slated to begin today and ends Tuesday, August 1.

Dunn said the benefits of Dream Weekend does not stop in Negril alone, but stretches across the island.

“There are hundreds of vendors on the road who make a living from it. Persons from Kingston attend the series… females will get their hair and nails done in Kingston or just anywhere else in the island,” he said.

Lee Issa, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, said the party series is extremely important to the resort town’s economy.

“The hotels and restaurants really benefit, and with over 1,000 new rooms this year, we are expecting even a bigger boost. This is usually a slow period of the year for hoteliers, so Dream Weekend fills in greatly during this time,” he said.

Issa also said over the years the series has been executed smoothly with no major incidents.

“The organisers also stay within the designated time and never go over. They manage the noise and clean up Negril after the staging,” he said.

Dream Weekend begins with Magnum Dream Live at Cayenne Beach later tonight. The event features live performances from Tarrus Riley, Aidonia, Tommy Lee Sparta, Masicka, and Bounty Killer.

On Saturday the parties Daydreams and Yush will be staged. These will be followed by Wet N Wild, which sports a new Mardi Gras theme, and World Vibes on Sunday. Come Monday, it’ll be the popular all-white Daydreams party and Twisted Spiritz, the pyjama edition.

The event winds down on Emancipation Day, August 1, with Igloo and Dream J’Ouvert.