Taxpayers shelled out almost $2 million for this year’s Bermuda Music Festival — with the Department of Tourism making about half back through revenue.

And the total number of overseas visitors for this year’s festival was 383, compared to 1,500 last year.

According to written answers in the Senate this afternoon, the Department of Tourism paid $1,967,600 for the event and the revenue to date is $978,297.94.

Last year’s festival cost taxpayers $3 million and attracted big name performers, including Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and UB40.

Premier Ewart Brown announced earlier this year that this year’s festival would be scaled back and more money would be used to draw tourists to the Island throughout the year.

* See the full story and reaction in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.