Orange Carnival Masqueraders in Trinidad
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell has announced that foreign visitor spending for Carnival 2025 is expected to exceed the $640 million generated during last year’s celebrations. Minister Mitchell made this projection at the official opening of the John Cupid Carnival Village on Friday night at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
His optimistic forecast is based on a projected increase in tourist arrivals and the growing popularity of the Carnival Village. “This year, we have 410 more aircraft arriving to Trinidad and Tobago from international destinations from February 1 to the first week of March; therefore, we expect more visitors here during the season,” Mitchell explained to the large crowd gathered at the Village.
Embracing the Carnival 2025 theme, “No Place Like Home,” Mitchell described this year’s Carnival as exciting and expansive, noting the significant increase in planned events and fetes, estimated to be between 300 and 400.
The Carnival Village itself has seen a surge in attendance over the past two years. “During Carnival 2023, the National Carnival Commission recorded 70,000 patrons visiting this Carnival Village. In 2024, the NCC recorded an increase of patronage to the Carnival Village of 100,000—which is an increase of 30,000 more persons patronising the Carnival Village in 2024 over the year 2023,” Mitchell stated. “It goes without saying that we expect the Carnival Village in 2025 to attract more than 100,000 patrons, and that this year’s Village would surpass last year’s numbers.” Entry to the Carnival Village is free to the public.
This year’s Village features over 40 vendors offering a variety of products, from crafts and local cuisine to clothing. Mitchell encouraged attendees to experience the diverse offerings: “We are surely in for an unforgettable experience with 20 events covering a wide range of our Carnival music genres, from extempo to chutney to calypso and soca. There are also youth-focused events, a Youth Extravaganza, and Stars of Tomorrow. So, I encourage all to come out and support our local entertainers and artisans. Their work is indeed the heartbeat of our cultural industry.”
The cruise ship season, which runs from November to April, is also expected to contribute to the influx of tourists. Mitchell announced that approximately six cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, are scheduled to dock during the Carnival period. The Rhapsody of the Seas alone will bring 2,396 passengers to the Port of Port of Spain during its five-day stay. Special events within the Carnival Village have been designed to cater to cruise ship passengers and provide them with an immersive Carnival experience.
Mitchell emphasized the positive economic impact of tourist spending, stating, “This visitor spend will provide a great economic stimulus to all involved in the Carnival celebrations—from the accommodation providers, promoters, artistes, taxi-drivers and vendors.”
Attendees at the Carnival Village launch on Friday noted that the crowd was noticeably larger than the previous year. The festive atmosphere featured traditional Carnival characters like moko jumbies, tamboo bamboo percussionists, classical East Indian dancers, and pan players. The evening culminated in a lively stage show featuring performances by Jaron Nurse, Farmer Nappy, Orlando Octave, Rikki Jai, Squeezy Rankin, Yung Bredda, Stacey Sobers, and other popular artists.