Organizing events like the Homecoming Music Festival definitely needs the support and assistance from the Government, the tourism sector and various stakeholders in Fiji because it is strongly supported by the community in Fiji.
This has been highlighted by renowned Events Director Moe Coffey during fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan.
Coffey says despite the successes of Homecoming for the first two years which has attracted a lot of people from abroad as well, they lost money two years in a row and it was an incredible challenge this year because George FIJI Veikoso absorbed those losses in year one and carried on like nothing ever happened.
He also revealed that all the artists from aboard also performed without charging any fees as they wanted to be part of the concerts that George was organising to give back to the people.
He says he is aware that the ticket pricing isn't easily accessible for a lot of the community.
@fijivillage.com Organizing events like Homecoming Music festival needs the support of government and other stakeholders - Coffey #fyp #fiji ♬ original sound fijivillage
Coffey reiterates that the people play a crucial role in the success of these events and the people to people support is important moving forward.
The Events Director says during Homecoming 1, it was incredibly nerve-wrecking for people like him who looked at the ticket sales and everyone was so relaxed about it.
He says he was worried about the slow trajectory of the ticket sales but Veikoso kept telling him not to worry as they were on Fiji time and the people will make it happen.
Coffey says he remembers saying to George, brother, you should just cancel the concert now.
Veikoso replied and told him not to worry as people will come and Coffey said the tickets aren't saying that they're coming and such was the uncertainty.
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Coffey says Veikoso proved him wrong and the crowd arrived.
We have sent questions to the Minister of Tourism, Viliame Gavoka on how this major attraction can be supported by the government and other stakeholders.
