DESPITE not yet being able to give a final dollar figure, Carnival 2025 in Jamaica has had an enormous economic impact, Minster of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange has said.

Grange told the Jamaica Observer Sunday that the benefits have trickled down to “even the peanut man”, and earnings have surpassed last year’s.

“Carnival this year has made an economic impact. In fact, we are at least 10 per cent above what we did last year. Even down to the peanut man, he is able to generate an income, as well as stylists, costume designers, the promoters, and the people who design the various bands. The Airbnb people and the hotels have been stepping up. That is what we expect,” Grange said.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said Carnival 2025 brought new excitement and dynamism to events tourism in Jamaica, and said he looks forward to collating the numbers.

“I look forward to being able to reel out the numbers in the way that we expect to show the impact that Carnival has on the economy of Jamaica,” Bartlett said.

The minister said the positive economic outcome is already obvious, though, with the outpouring of visitors filling hotel rooms from Kingston across to Ocho Rios, St Ann.

“This is exactly what the objective is, and the engagement of tourism is to bring more, what we call heads to beds, and to bring a greater sense of awareness of destination Jamaica, not just as a location for sun, sea, and sand, but also for entertainment and for the fulfilment of the passions of people,” Bartlett said.

The sentiments were echoed by State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Senator Delano Seiveright, who told the Observer Sunday that he expects Carnival to deliver another major boost to the local tourism sector and economy.

Seiveright said thousands of visitors flocked to the island for Carnival, boosting the numbers of visitors to hotels and Airbnbs.

“The hotels are full, the Airbnbs are full, other short-term rentals are full,” he said. “They’re enjoying our local attractions, they’re supporting restaurants and small businesses and micro enterprises and of course, the benefits spread, of course, into persons in fashion and our hairdressers, our barbers and so on.“

He noted that Carnival in Jamaica continues to grow as a world-class event, strengthening Jamaica’s reputation as a premier entertainment destination, bringing tangible economic benefits to communities and businesses right across the island

Welcoming creative ideas for building out Jamaica as a premier product, Bartlett said the dual arrangement of the Tourism Linkages Network and the Jamaica Tourist Board helps the process.

“The Linkages Network is about helping to ferret out new ideas and new experiences for visitors to have in Jamaica, and our effort is to encourage the development of new and exciting projects that are going to bring value to the destination,” he explained.

Bartlett said the Tourist Board will enhance the marketing and the showcasing of these new ideas and new projects, and, meanwhile, the Government will stand by ready to enable the continued development of these projects, helping with marketing.

Grange, meanwhile, highlighted the contribution of the late Byron Lee, who started and developed Jamaica Carnival.

“He laid the foundation for what we are experiencing now,” she said. “This sports and entertainment network includes my representatives, as well as the Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders, who have worked hard to encourage various bands and stakeholders.”

 From left: Dr Carey Wallace, executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), welcomes Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, and Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness to the TEF-powered Carnival in Jamaica Spectator Viewing Area, during Road March 2025.

Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager, Campari and Shanice Brown share lens time during Road March 2025. (Karl Mclarty)

 These YardMas revellers sought a different perspective as the band made its way along Fairway Avenue. (Joseph Wellington)

A member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force keep an eye on proceedings along Knutsford Boulevard, during Carnival in Jamaica Road March 2025. (Karl Mclarty)