Ticket holders who were promised refunds from the cancelled Jazzfest concert last week are being told that they can pick up their money tomorrow.

This was the word from the Department of Tourism, who was also a primary sponsor of the event.

However, US based concert promoter Lee Heinman, said he will not have the money ready until at least next week, meaning that the Department of Tourism may foot the bill for over $60,000 in ticket sales.

Mr. Heinman, a promoter for the New York based company Track Entertainment, left last week under controversy after he cancelled the concert to return to New York after the terrorist bombing His departure raised questions whether the several thousand dollars would be returned to ticket holders.

"If people want to tell me I'm a bastard, go ahead," he told The Royal Gazette yesterday from his New York office. "There is a war going on. It's a very tough time. I am not trying to take their money."

And questions directed to the Department of Tourism by concerned consumers seeking answers were only shuffled to local concert retailers The Music Box and 27th Century Boutique. Music Box owner and veteran concert promoter Eddy DeMello, who estimated that he sold about 900 tickets, said he hoped that all would run smoothly on Friday, saying the Tourism Department has been evasive about the issue.

"There are a lot of unhappy people out there," Mr. DeMello said. "I'm calling Tourism to see if we can put the pressure on them (Track Entertainment) for ticket returns. After last week, Tourism seems to be trying to distance themselves from the promoter and the situation.

"What I understand is that they (Tourism) are not as financially involved as they have been in the past. They are telling me to call Track. `It's nothing to do with us', they say. I hope it doesn't turn into a fiasco, because it will look bad on us. We (Music Box) don't have the money - the money has been taken to New York or somewhere."

But yesterday, Mr. Heinman said he is making every effort to return ticket money - however not without assurances, saying: "I am sending both our retailers a one page agreement that they will have to sign. We want to protect the money to make sure that consumers get their money back in full. I gave them all the assurances that it would be paid. They will get 100 percent reimbursements within five to seven days."

And there was no comment from the Tourism Department whether or not they would hold another event similar to the Jazzfest in the near future.