Jazz festival fans ‘let down by tourist officials’

THE Isle of Man Jazz Festival was a victim of ‘top level mismanagement’ in the Department of Tourism and Leisure, it has been claimed.

It was announced last month that the event would not be taking place this year after the DTL withdrew funding — a move condemned by fans.

And the move came under fire in the Legislative Council on Tuesday.

MLC David Callister said: ‘The jazz festival has become a victim of top level mismanagement and the victim of cost mismanagement.’

>> Jazz festival cancelled after tourism chiefs withdraw funding
28 January 2009

Representing the DTL, George Waft told the Legislative Council that financial support in the form of a guarantee against loss was offered by the DTL with organisers asked to provide projections of how they think it will perform.

Figures for the Jazz Festival ‘fell well below the average that had obtained support’, he added.

It was expected to attract 266 visitors at a cost of £20,500 to the DTL with a £3.31 return per pound invested compared with an average of £10 for other events it supports.

The decision to withdraw funding wasn’t taken lightly but followed talks between the organisers and the DTL, Mr Waft said.

But Mr Callister claimed there had simply been a monologue with the department telling the organisers there would be no funding.

‘If the tourist department were bringing in 250 people for a two-day conference they would be shouting from the hillsides,’ he said.

Mr Waft insisted visitor numbers to the festival had not been improving and the cost was increasing.

Following calls to consider funding a jazz festival in 2010, Mr Waft said the DTL was open to any suggestions.

A total of 44 events, including five new events, will receive DTL funding this year, Mr Waft revealed.

The DTL will not be supporting the jazz festival or October walking festival this year. Funding of three other events, which Mr Waft did not specify, is under consideration.

Mr Lowey said most of the events listed were sporting events indicating a ‘lack of imagination to organise events of a different kind to attract a different audience’.

Source: iomtoday

Tags: DTL, MLC David Callister, THE Isle of Man Jazz Festival, withdrew funding

Category: Event Industry News