Walwyn outlines comprehensive tourism solutions
Contributed - Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 at 7:54 AM
NDP At-large candidate Myron Walywn
Speaking to a packed crowd at the launching of the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) 4th District Candidate, Mark Vanterpool; At-Large Candidate, Myron V. Walwyn reiterated the need for the Virgin Islands to rebuild its tourism industry to revive its crumbling economy.
Despite the claims by the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP) that the entire world’s economy is bad, Walwyn dispelled those claims with evidence that governments in the Caribbean have been proactive in cushioning the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis on their economies.
Most islands have been able to do so by investing in their tourism sector. Just under three years from the onset of the crisis, in 2011 many regional governments are seeing growth from the tourism sector.
This comes even when Premier of the Virgin Islands, Ralph T. O’Neal in the July 12 House of Assembly meeting reported that his government anticipated an overall 31% reduction in cruise arrivals to the Territory.
Wawlyn shared with the crowd, “while we are here projecting a 31% reduction in cruise ship arrivals for this upcoming season, St. Thomas right next door is projecting an increase and the St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism authority is projecting a 26% increase in cruise arrivals for the upcoming cruise ship season.”
The candidate further stated, “Barbados is on the verge of a record year for tourist arrivals to their shores. In July of this year, Barbados had a record number of over 58,000 visitor arrivals. The first week in August of this year they had a 20% increase over last year and they expected that month to be a record month.”
In an effort to quickly rebuild the tourism industry, Walwyn reiterated a policy his party intends to take on board the day they are elected to office. This strategy includes;
Making the Territory a captivating and safe destination
Walwyn’s proposed strategy includes developing attractions to add to the tourist experience while in the Territory. This he says will also afford entrepreneurs and business owners the opportunity to economically participate in this development. The candidate also reaffirmed his party’s commitments to reducing the recent upsurge in crime, which will have an affect on the industry if not managed.
Convenient and affordable airlift
On the issue of better access for visitors to the Virgin Islands, Walwyn said, “we must take the bull by the horn and get our airport expanded so that we can get direct flights from our main feeder markets and the new emerging tourism markets.”
The party continues to commit plans to expand access for all visitors to the Territory to allow larger planes to land at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, bringing more tourists to our shores and providing more travel options for both locals and tourists.
Jamaica, one of the Territory’s tourism competitors, in June announced its partnership with the People’s Republic of China to provide direct flights to that island destination with a confirmed 10,000 booked seats. The Chinese market remains the fastest growing and one of the most stable markets in the world. In recent years, low cost carriers such as Spirit and Jet Blue began travel to Caribbean islands such as United States Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, St. Martin and Barbados.
Development of a sophisticated infrastructure
“We must look at the development of the cruise ship pier so that we can attract more ships and the right ships to our shores. But we must also look at the issue of the quality of service that we offer to our visitors while here. This needs to be addressed and will be addressed under the New NDP government.” Walwyn said. He told the crowd that the issue of infrastructure affects the lives of residents due to the neglect of the Territory’s roads, availability of water, and the issue of sewage in the streets, which takes away from visitors’ perception of the VI.
A well developed and carefully targeted marketing plan
Alluding to sparse funding of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and the alternating plans for its markets management, Walwyn told the crowd, “now is not the time for hit and miss because funds are scarce. We must do proper research and ensure that any market that we leverage our funds with pay dividends back to us very soon.”
The tourism industry is the largest sector of employment for residents throughout the Virgin Islands. In lieu of the Territory’s poor tourism performance, many restaurateurs and hoteliers have had to put staff on extended vacations to avoid layoffs. Other retail industries and even Government revenues have been affected by this change in the economy.
As Walwyn and the entire NDP team blaze the trail for the Virgin Islands 2011 elections, they will continue to dialogue with residents in hopes of collectively offering community supported solutions to the challenges the Territory presently faces.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Myron V. Walwyn started his professional career in the tourism industry as the Food and Beverage Manager of Treasure Isle Hotel. In 1999 he started MVW International, a locally owned and operated hospitality management agency that owns and operates the Moorings Mariner Inn Hotel and Restaurant, Charlie’s Italian Restaurant, Ginny’s Café and Calypso Café. Walwyn also served a term as the Chairman of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board.
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13 Comments
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but was this the same man who was head of the BVITB what happen how come he did not do these things when there??? suckteeth
Myron is right. We need more cruise ships and more airlift. The other islands are attracting the cruise and the airlines because their governments and tourism directors have relationships and work the market. when was the last time the premier or neil “music man” blyden or ms. ward ever met with the cruise lines or airlines?? they like to talk and maybe can they can start talking to the right people at the cruise lines and airlines and save the bvi? if not, myron will save the day.
strupe
s bullsh. You was in tourism board for years and u aint contribute jack and make soulutions to better the country. So what possible logics can you have now? Nobody aint want hear you so go sit down, and pay us moorings workers.
why myron afraid to tackle/mention the tent city next to the cruise ship pier? is he afraid those island people wont vote for him or cat got his tongue?
Myron you are finally someone who recognizes that toursits aren’t going to merely visit our shores because we are the BVI. There is far too much of an attitude that if people don’t like it they don’t have to come or they can go back home. They seem to beleive that people will come regardless of the state of the countries hotels, roads, beaches, restaurants and the lackluster service that is provided.
I would suggest investing some money in a worthwhile survey and following up with the cruise ship passengers to ask what they thought of the BVI on their day in port. I’m certain we all can guess exactly what they would say. And these people are definitely vocal. It’s no wonder the cruise ships are depleting. People do not want to come here. A tropical island, is a paradise in many tourists minds. A paradise is not stink, dirt, mud, crumbling roads and sidewalks, business fronts that look unwelcoming, cars packing every inch of town, maneuvering within parked cars to avoid being hit by traffic. I mean honestly, if you visited Tortola, the way it has been for the past few years, you would not want to return and you’d be telling others to stay away!
Tourism is built on a good product that every wants to buy. You can market a product all you want but when the customers find out it is substandard to other products of the same genre, they are not going to be repeat customers. In todays market you need quality for the dollar and the people selling it best be smiling and catering to the customer to win them over!
myron is a coward, thats the bottom line….runs from pressure….soft!!!….we dont want this kinda leadership
What are your solutions to the Territory’s problems? How do we get Tourism moving? How do we create new streams of revenue for the Territory? All you have are nasty words!! When will you learn some common sense? You are truly a sick individual, my god man!!
I guess he preferred to walk away rather than go to jail. Myron is a very successful and professional businessman. He is someone that I admire very much and I know there must be a very good reason why he resigned.
this guy defected/deserted/ran away/turned his back/walked off the tourist board and now want to give us advice? blow way man!!! before i puke on you
Why don’t you ask him why he walked away, that may just open your eyes to the sort of leadership we have.
Some people have standards and integrity and I know that Myron is one of those persons. We all know that the tourist board is a hot mess especially with a certain leader’s daughter working there and doing what she wants. Nobody with standards will tolerate that foolishness
That certain leaders daughter is out partying on the TB dime. check out her facebook page.
I guess he fraid jail. I can’t blame him
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