“Sand, sea and water is not enough!” Troy Christopher wants more culture in tourism
BVI News Staff - Thursday, March 7th, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Tourists in Road Town
“It’s like we are not very creative when it comes to taking our culture and integrating it into the experience that people come to the territory to look for,” laments Troy Christopher, President of Business at the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.
He stated that the territory’s economy and tourism product could be far more successful if additional efforts are made to market the territory’s culture to tourists.
“It is not only possible; I think that we will see a great blossoming of our tourism product from it, our economic product from it, and our enrichment from bringing back some of our heritage,” he said.
Christopher, who was speaking during the “Spotlight” programme on JTV where he is Managing Director, recommended that the BVI moves away from the notion that “sand, sea and water” are enough.
He noted that many Caribbean countries have come to that realization, and are making their culture a more integral part of their tourism offering.
“We are seeing that sand, sea and water is not enough in this environment. A lot of the other Caribbean countries have already gone through a much more rich cultural experience within their product.
“It seems like there has been a discounting of some of our cultural traditions. It’s almost like that was in the old days and we are now in a modern era. And it seems like, for some time, we have run away from these practices… We have run away from them like they were cuss words,” Christopher continued.
He is of the opinion that it shouldn’t be difficult for the BVI to find aspects of its cultural heritage that will make its visitors’ experiences healthier and more exciting.
Giving an example of what he thinks is needed, Christopher said: “If you are looking for something that a tourist will never forget – if you take a three-rock fire on a beach and have a grill or barbecue or something under the moonlight, with the flavour that comes from your local food and your local meats and vegetables with fungi music, they will never forget that.”
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7 Comments
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The culture of 30 years ago. Now the culture is thiefs,thugs,currupt government,ethicless,lazy,impolite …..
I consent! Time we upgrade our toursit product.
They should put an outside oven or something of the sort by Crafts Alive and have demonstrations when the tourists are in. This can be done to attract local as well as land based visitors as well, not just cruise shippers. The things we need to do are so easy but our focus seems to be elsewhere.
I totally agree. I have been the Bermuda where they reenact the witch hunt trials, have replica models of 18/19th century ships that you can walk through and there are story lines inside that depicts a historical story or event, as well as a mini tour around and history town. It was very informative and it definitely is something I will never forget, The BVI can surely benefit from events like those!
This is a great start! There is a compelling opportunity to try to identify, highlight and preserve the positive aspects of BVI culture now not only to promote tourism but to encourage a stronger sense of National Identity.
BTW, What can we do to stimulate the development of a local agricultural initiative? We need fresh fruits and vegetables.
100% support any thing that push our culture, not only is it good for the economy it is great for the suvival of the people of the VI and the VI way of life. Its one of the ways we can address the issue of having such a large expat work force, nothing is wrong with inviting people to your home but when they are invited we have to be able to deal with the effects both neg&pos.
You right troy.
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