Catch 22? VI expanding runway without hotel rooms — Vanterpool

People’s Leadership Movement (PLM) leader Mark Vanterpool has questioned the government’s plans to expand the runway at the TB Lettsome International Airport without a corresponding push to increase hotel accommodation in the territory.

Vanterpool described the situation as a “catch-22”, arguing that the BVI must provide sufficient accommodation if it intends to attract more visitors through improved air access.

Speaking on his People’s Mic podcast, Vanterpool also questioned the government’s approach to the airport expansion, particularly its decision to prioritise work at the western end of the runway.

“The next big step, and I must say that I was misguided, because what the government is about to do on the western end of the airport, I’m told, really should not be the first priority in the first phase of that project, because it doesn’t make any real improvements to the ability for the government to host bigger jets,” Vanterpool stated.

He argued that the government should instead concentrate on extending the eastern end of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.

“So the eastern end where we have to add, I don’t know, about 1,500 feet, we need to focus on that,” he stated.

Vanterpool also questioned the proposed expenditure on the western section, suggesting that the money could be directed towards the eastern extension.

However, he maintained that expanding the airport alone would not address the territory’s tourism development needs.

“And the problem that you have is a catch-22. If you’re bringing more tourists into the territory, you have to have rooms,” Vanterpool stated.

“So where are the hotels? When was the last hotel development in the BVI? What are the plans for it?” he questioned.

He also called for greater attention to attracting investment in hotel development. “How are we encouraging investors to come in and help to develop those hotels?” Vanterpool asked.

The former minister stressed the importance of overnight visitors, noting that they contribute to restaurants, shops, tours and charter yacht businesses during their stays.

He recalled that overnight visitor arrivals had approached 400,000 annually in 2016 and expressed hope that the territory could surpass that figure.

Vanterpool also pointed to competing Caribbean destinations that had invested in airport infrastructure capable of accommodating larger jets.

He argued that the BVI needed a clearer development vision supported by the leadership necessary to implement it.

The government has meanwhile advanced plans for an initial 787-foot extension at the western end of the runway. Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer disclosed in September that two bids had been received for the project and would undergo evaluation.

The western extension is part of a wider airport development programme, with Cabinet having endorsed a proposal to extend the runway to approximately 7,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft.