This assertion came from reader in music at the Royal Holloway University of London,
Tina Ramnarine, as she presented a paper at Soundscapes: Reflections On Caribbean Oral And Aural Traditions Conferenceat UWI yesterday.

Following the history and economics of carnivals in Trinidad and Tobago, Toronto and London, Ramnarine suggested that although tourists take centre-stage during Carnival, they are still seen as strangers.

"In economic development debates, Carnival moves towards non-islander inclusion
. . . The tourist is both desirable and undesirable," she said.

"The tourist may help the island's economic development and visibly contribute to performances in public spaces, but is cast nevertheless in the role of an outsider," Ramnarine stressed, referring to the lyrics of Trinidad's calypsonian Shadow's 2001 road march hit, "Stranger".

He sang about an Australian tourist who comes to Trinidad "to learn to play mas', eager to get in the groove."

Pointing to the Notting Hill Carnival in London, which attracts thousands of spectators to the concert of Caribbean artistes, Ramnarine said debates still abound as to how to develop that carnival as a tourist attraction, thereby generating income.

As for Caribana in Toronto, the Canadian version to New York's Eastern Parkway in September, she said despite acknowledgement of Caribana's tourist market potential, the financial management has been criticised.

According to her, there have been many complaints about the lack of sufficient support to their activities from the finances raised during the Carnival season.