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 yesterday, the Department of Tourism paid $1,967,600 to stage 'Quincy Jones and Friends' at The Keep Yard in Dockyard October 29 to 31.

Performers included Quincy Jones, Patti Austin, Erykah Badu, James Ingram, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers and Naturally 7. The revenue to date is $978,297.94.

By contractual agreement, the vendor/producer of the festival has until December 31 to submit the final costs. Those numbers will be released next year.

Last year's festival, featuring Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and UB40, drew 1,500 visitors to the Island.

It cost $5.8 million to stage, with $2.8 million recouped in revenue a net cost to taxpayers of $3 million. Premier Ewart Brown warned that this year's festival would be scaled back, with more money used to draw tourists throughout the year.

Visitors were tracked through the purchase of travel packages and travel partners. Some visitors purchased tickets online or through local vendors and so that number can't be quantified.

The answers were given by Junior Tourism Minister Thaao Dill in response to parliamentary questions from Shadow Tourism Minister Michael Dunkley.

Senator Dunkley asked Sen. Dill to "please inform the Senate as to what is the total gross cost to Government of the recent Bermuda Music Festival and specifically list and itemise all costs associated with this event including the cost of individual artists, professional fees, travel, accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, transportation, marketing and communications, personnel and/or other costs in part or in full paid for by the Bermuda Government."

Sen. Dunkley also asked for the total cost of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the number of visitors it attracted.

The gross cost to the Bermuda Government for the PGA was $1.5 million through sponsorship paid directly to the PGA of America for the event. Bermuda had no other expenses.

The organisers said about 400 tourists came to watch the tournament and an additional 700 visitors came as guests of the PGA, Turner Sports and corporate partners.