Brandywine Bay development to break ground in 2026
The long-awaited Brandywine Bay development is expected to break ground in 2026 as the government seeks to expand the territory’s tourism offerings and create new attractions for visitors, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Territory Address, Dr Wheatley said the project, which has been discussed for years, is finally moving towards implementation as part of his government’s efforts to strengthen the tourism sector.
“And that is why we are laser-focused on developing additional attractions to announce that Brandywine Bay, which has been promised for many years, will break ground later this year,” Dr Wheatley stated.
The Premier made the announcement while outlining the government’s plans for tourism, which he described as one of the strongest drivers of the Virgin Islands’ economy.
According to Premier Wheatley, visitor arrivals have continued to increase in recent years. He reported that the territory welcomed a record-breaking 1.2 million visitors in 2025, driven largely by cruise tourism, which exceeded 875,000 passengers. Overnight arrivals also surpassed 300,000 visitors during the year.
The Premier said his government intends to build on that momentum by developing new visitor attractions.
“There are a number of other attractions that will serve cruise passengers in particular, which are under consideration and will be shared with the public in the coming weeks and months,” Dr Wheatley stated.
The Brandywine Bay project has been discussed by successive administrations as a potential tourism attraction for Tortola’s eastern end. Government officials have previously indicated that the development could become part of efforts to diversify the tourism product and create additional experiences for both cruise and overnight visitors.
The Premier said the government remains focused on balancing growth across cruise tourism, overnight tourism and the luxury marine sector. He further noted that tourism continues to support taxi operators, tour providers, restaurants, retailers, vendors and other small businesses throughout the territory.
He also pointed to several other tourism initiatives currently underway, including the planned expansion of the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport, the development of the territory’s first National Tourism Plan and the advancement of a National Tourism Policy aimed at ensuring sustainable growth.
He said the government has selected a company to prepare the tourism plan and will continue consultations on policies intended to strengthen the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
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A government initiated business dominated by the private sector. What could go wrong with this? Dateline 2036: Brandywine Bay Development falling apart and Government not able to agree how to fix it …
Fifty years ago the unspoilt islands were the attraction.
Each addition to the so called “tourism product” only serves to further diminish what was once unique and brings us nearer to being the same as everywhere else.
Progress and nature do not have to work against each other; they can exist in harmony. The reality is that people can deeply appreciate nature while still expecting modern amenities. The traditional guest profile is changing, and today’s travelers are looking for a different standard.There in Dominica , for example, has seen growth in nature tourism, but that growth has been supported by airport expansion to accommodate more direct flights, bringing more visitors to experience its natural beauty while staying in higher-quality, luxury accommodations.
We want jobs/economic opportunities or unspoilt islands? We cannot have both so let’s choose what we want to be and where we want to go.
On finishing all the half complete projects around the island before digging something else up Sea cows bay, Carrot bay, DDM building,
Coastal defenses, admin building, Joe hill affordable housing sorry that is finished just no one either can afford them or wants to live in a well known flood area / gut.
He wants to come to the population to say his government has started work so don’t stop progress by putting in another government and all he doing is purposefully tieing up money in all areas hoping the next government’s hands will be tied but that will not work.
Please better Pictures of the people in Government it speaks volumes knowing what our country is fácil, then to show who the leales are makes a hogar stomach sido.
Half the island is a 3rd world garbage heap.
Why don’t you first attempt to fix a road?
Not sure if you have bandwidth for any of these plans..
Everything should not have to cater to tourism. We can kill 2 birds with 1 stone… Here’s a novel idea. How about we take care of our country for us FIRST. That way we shouldn’t have to put on an act when company shows up and we don’t have to scurry to clean it. Create something that locals can enjoy and support. We are the ones that will be here if the ships decide they’d rather be somewhere else. Create venues that we can enjoy (besides bars)
I can feel your pain we definitely have the ugliest leaders worldwide. That’s why the laws they bring on us looks Like. WOW.
Wow! Beating this dead horse again?! $5 million spent some years back turned into what it is now. Junk yard, ghetto, bad road, crappy beach, can’t swim because the seabed is naturaly invasive with aquatic grass that ain’t soft to the foot. Leave this area to the folks that don’t want a crowd, happy with a local vibe, enjoy swimming and snorkeling with the what’s left of a natural bvi jewel. Sad thing is the tenement construction site that hinders what could be a beautiful view out that bay, shame shame! No tourist want to go to that beach even if you spend (waste) another $10 million! I don’t have water at my house and we’re gonna dig up this horse and beat it some more? WOW!
Why?