St. Mary’s South MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon plans to visit Trinidad and Tobago to study how Carnival has been turned into a major economic driver, with the aim of applying lessons to Antigua and Barbuda’s summer festival.

Simon said the trip will focus on intellectual property protections for creatives and on how Trinidad markets Carnival as a national economic season that boosts tourism and business activity. While calling Antigua’s Carnival “second to none,” he said stronger planning, marketing and cultural infrastructure are needed to elevate its global profile.

He also urged greater regional collaboration through CARICOM, saying Trinidad’s long-term approach offers a model for expanding the festival’s economic and cultural impact.