Difficult for gov’t to accept full responsibility for cancellations
Premier Andrew Fahie has said it is difficult for his government to accept full responsibility for the growing number of pre-booking cancellations which commenced following his announcement of the territory’s protocols for reopening local tourism.
The Premier made that statement during Tuesday’s media conference geared at clarifying a number of the protocols announced the previous day.
He said he believes the majority of the bookings were made prior to the release of government’s travel protocols and said that should not have occurred.
“I don’t want to get into the businesses’ accounts because I did see a lot of it on social media that they have already had such and such amount of cancellations … I am concerned about bookings before you know the protocols because then you would have been booking in anticipation that the protocols would be according to how you might be seeing them,” Premier Fahie argue.
“I have asked persons in different industries, ‘when you say that you made losses due to the protocols, what does that really mean?’ Some of them have told me today that it wasn’t really because of the protocols per se, but because that persons booked like the year before. So when they leave, they have bookings and say, ‘I’ll be back next year’. But when they did that, there was no COVID-19 so some of those bookings would have been lost as a result of that,” he explained.
Government will not be taking full blame
Premier Fahie said the businesses’ decision to preempt the government’s proposed plan played a major role in customers pre-booking without the relevant information.
He further said he believes casting the full blame on the government is ‘going overboard’.
“It’s difficult for government anywhere to take full responsibility for the loss of these bookings before the protocols were established … If you book before the protocols were established and then blame a government anywhere in the world, I still would have to do some more research on that. And that’s nothing towards the businesses not trying to be proactive, but to throw all of that on any government is a little much.”
Difficult position to be in
Fahie, who is also the Minister for Tourism, said the decision to establish the protocols — which were guided by the health professionals — was one that was intended to be in the best interest of people’s safety.
“I’ve had the same number or more persons in the territory who have called me today and said, ‘listen, it’s a very difficult position. I have a business but please do whatever you have to do to keep us safe’. There are certain areas that you need to adjust, listen to the people and see if you can adjust them without compromising our health,” the Premier said.
“And I have had persons call me today and also said to me, ‘look, you guys have done a good job keeping us safe, don’t just let go what you have done to reopen and then let everything go north’.”
Premier Fahie said he will continue to dialogue with various stakeholders in the tourism industry to get their full feedback on some of the protocols.
He said their feedback coupled with the recommendation from the health officials will be discussed to see what changes can be made to the existing protocols.
Once a decision is made, the Premier said he will return via another media conference to update the territory.
Hundreds of bookings cancelled since BVI’s reopening protocols
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Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt
All doubt may be gone.
Here’s a bit to think about before you all venture down on your vacation. You will be required to put an app on your phone for gps tracking. Welllllll, guess what else the app may be able to do. It may be able to glean all your personal information from your phone. Credit card info, banking info, personal conversations, emails, etc. And to whose hands does this info go to while you sit in quarantine? Place your trust in the almighty but not these people.
Here’s the answer. Read this before you dumba**es place the app on your phone:
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2020/09/30/covid-19-tracking-apps-leak-data/
Andrew Fahie, the buck stops with you. Don’t hide your head in the sand. Right next door USVI, there are protocols but no prison sentences. You are killing Tourism, and when Tourism is dead, next will be Financial Services. Andrew you have to change course. Your last lists of protocols need to be revised. They are not visitors friendly. For the love of country, please stop these high handed tactics, especially if you want to see a robust economic recovery. If you don’t change course Recovery is Impossible. Hope you listen to the voices around you that are crying out, and just not your own. You are not an Island unto yourself. This country is ours, not yours. We give you the opportunity with responsibility to us to Manage, not Dominate. You have an opportunity to turn things around please use it, or we the people will see you and your government at the ballot box.
Thank you. He full ah pi$$ … always tick for tat. He never wants to accept wrong.
I hope he listens to a**e holes like you and just open up everything! So all you guys stinking property and stinking business could get all the clients. When a massive outbreak happens I pray and hope YOUR family is devastated more than any other. phuking clung!
Does Government take accountability for anything unless it’s positive.
They would find news about someone who left the BVI donkey years ago and take credit for their accomplishments.
When it comes to taking ownership, admitting to bad decisions, and working towards correcting same….they would find a fall guy somewhere to take the blame.
You think a booking is someone saying , see you next year?
Wow, really clueless. A booking is a commitment usually backed up with a substantial deposit that many businesses will now have to refund. Assuming they can.
Persons booked because no one would have believed the so called protocols would be so prison like and cost $1000 per couple plus maybe 4 days in a hotel.
Understand this, with this , no one is coming.
Boat businesses, hotels and rentals will have low to no business.
That is the effect of these “ protocols”.
Let’s not pretend that everything is wonderful and the tourist industry is back. That is cloud cuckoo land.
I fully agree with the Premier. We need to be real and stop taking Covid-19 as a Joke.
More people were murdered in BVI than died of Covid.
If they didnt do what they did you dont know who’s parents grandparents brothers or sisters would have died.
To think they would not have to quarantine when traveling during a global pandemic…..
Dear Andy Foy
You always only wish to take responsibility for the positive things that happen. You are never to blame for anything that goes wrong.
You and your friend made big announcements with your BVILove campaign and that we were opening up on 1 December.
Can you blame people to get enthusiastic when you clearly designed a campaign to make people enthusiastic?
Have a good look in the mirror man, you can’t only compliment yourself for how great a job you are doing. Everybody, and I mean everybody by now knows you and your administration is making a mess out of this already crap situation.
You made the people enthusiastic with your BVI Love. You should have said 1 December we are opening up but only in a very limited way that will probably make tourism impossible.
Be honest, be clear and be critical of your own (horrible) performance.
#BVIBroke.
The BVI LOVE campaign was simply a fraud campaign. I already had 2 charters on the books when BVI LOVE came out so I booked a 3rd charter. I am fortunate that the charter company I deal with is run by honorable people.
I don’t know if I will ever return after the government ran this scam. BVI LOVE = BVI FRAUD!
Sorry f***y… the buck stops with you.
They should have announced the protocols when they announced the border reopening date and that BVILOVE nonsense. If they had done that no one would have booked any reservations.
That is my sentiment. I think the reopening announcement was premature. Yes persons should have waited to hear the protocols before confirming bookings. I do agree with that. But the time it is taking for the protocols to be finalized is not practical for anyone looking to be here in December. We still have not made any final decisions. So I definitely agree that the reopening announcements and the protocols should have gone hand in hand.
Absolutely !! the day that the PM anounced the opening he should have presented the protocols as well….Donky PM..
F** man Foi, the one who is clearly not one of the people who is going hungry in the territory now says he is still in talks with people of the industry.
But when the industry gives suggestions he calls it “pressure”.
Open your ears instead and try to understand.
We …we all know obese people are the first to die from covid.
They did not “ consult “ with the industry. They sat there and told the industry what they were going to do. Then they went away and made it worse.
“One person called me to tell me that i do a good job, another person called me also to tell me i do a good job.”
Behind the scenes: 10.000 people did not get their calls answered to tell him they are starving from him closing the borders and not working together with anyone.
After scheming, misleading and blatant l+**g to get in to government, this is what Hon. Fahie and his government has to offer us. This government is totally incompetent. They have no understanding of how the economy of the country works and what’s worse they don’t listen to advice from people who know. We have the one eye man as king and the blind mice following him without question.
Happy to see that someone else is seeing how we got into this mess.
BVIlanders need to seriously learn how to intelligently choose people to run their country, we would be much better off had we voted based on track record and demonstrated competency. Right now looks like all we voted for are village i***ts.
Well Mr. Premier, the Government is responsible for this mess. You had more than enough time to properly planned and put this together. The BVI is losing THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE CANCELLATIONS. How can you expect the paying tourist to sit in quarantine for 8 days when most is only on a 1 week Vacation. Yes, you and your Government is responsible and should take responsibility for the mess. Mr. Premier, PREMIER THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CANOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. The other Caribbean Islands is laughing at the BVI because they are getting all the Tourist this season. Why? because they were planning months ago while you were focusing your energy fighting with the Governor.
The B***y is under pressure….
Can the govt accept responsibility for this? There is only one person in the country able to teach this “Gold seal “ course .
And it is booked out by the governments cronies until after December.
That’s right, blame the tourists, obviously they should book travel at a couple of weeks notice. Am sure they don’t mind the increased flight costs and their employers won’t mind late requests for time off.
Alternative is we’ve had all summer to plan. A half thought through solution released under 5 weeks before the borders open isn’t the governments fault at all.
Well meh @ss! Is English this man’s first language? A cancellation is a cancellation! Whether the booking was made a year ago or a week ago, a cancellation still means that economic activity that was coming to the BVI will now be going elsewhere. But, Fahie’s attitude is: That’s okay! In the infamous words of Marie Antoinette, he is saying of his constituents who will starve for lack of bread, “Let them eat cake”!
Mr. Premier, you would do well to remember that, not long after she uttered those callous words, Marie Antoinette lost her head – literally – to the guillotine. In a so-called democracy you and your ruling party represent the head and elections serve as the guillotine. Beware!
At least Marie Antoinette was a young uninformed girl, not a know it all full of himself Dictator.
Stop trying to deflect from the truth. The people you were listening to don’t know their A** from their elbow. That is what happens when you think you know everything. BIG MISTAKE ON YOUR PART Mr. Premier. Shame on you. There is no way you will be given a second term behind this. You have caused the Country you claim is broke THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. Money just flushed down the drain like water.
I note that there is a fire alarm over his left shoulder. Would somebody kindly pull the handle? This is a five-alarm fire!
How can he say the protocols were guided by health professionals when our own Chief Medical Officer did not know what they were before they were announced. Don’t feed us lies!
The professionals in the private health sector also say that they have not been consulted at all. This is foolishness. A wise leader gathers thoughts from the most wise in the country and formulates policy accordingly. Wise people have been providing good information for months. Government has blatantly ignored it. The pain of the unemployed and hungry rests squarely on the Government.
There you go. His b***head ways got him into this mess. Sometimes we have to get other peoples input because no one person can make such a decision on their own. AT THE END OF THE DAY MR.PREMIER, THIS IS ON YOU AND YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CORRECT THIS. YOU MESSED UP THE TOURIST SEASON IN A BIG WAY. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS POOF! I FEEL BAD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MAKES THEIR LIVING OFF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY.DAMNNNNNNNN SHAME.
The Premier MESSED UP BAD. HE SEEMS TO THINK BECAUSE HE IS PREMIER HE IS TOP DOG. Mr. PREMIER, ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR TERM IN OFFICE BECAUSE COME NEXT ELECTION YOU WILL BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE. ONE OF THE WORSE AND I***T PREMIER THE BVI HAS HAD BY FAR. THE PEOPLE NEED A SMART AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PREMIER IN OFFICE NOT A POWER DRIVEN D***Y. SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY THING THIS PREMIER KNOWS HOW TO DO WELL IS TELL L**S AND E**.
I also heard from a very reliable source that The Chief Medical Officer was not aware until after the fact. How embarrassing.
We are the only island that is doing this. This will kill our country over a virus less deadly than the flu.
This opening of the borders has been a complete disaster.
How to open a country,
1. We are opening on the 1st December, in the same press briefing.
2. Here are the protocols for opening the border and the restrictions we are putting in place.
3. These restrictions are.
4. To assist the contact tracing in the BVI all residents will download an app so if you are in contact with a tourist who has COVID we can alert you to come for testing.
5. Worse case is we have a spike and here are the protocols in place for this.
Everyone in the BVI has a vested interest in the tourists return. We all want a safe and logical approach.
We are all in this together, but if feels like we are going to do the worst thing possible for you all and the economy for the tourist market.
FACT: 99.9994% OF THE EARTHS POPULATION HAS NOT DIED FROM COVID
FACT: OF THOSE CONTRACTING THE VIRUS THE KILL RATE IS NOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 3%
Please do your part by wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, practice social distancing and try to not buy into the panic that the government would like you to remain in. Perhaps these paid civil “servants” should refrain from taking a salary to share in the misery your people are experiencing…in a country with a zero case load.
No man, this has got to be a big joke!!!!!! This guy serious? This is OUR LEADER? In THESE TIMES? WHAT THE F**K!
WHAT THE HECK IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT????? Recovery? Revenue Streams? We are entering the worst phase of the entire pandemic and y’all acting like it’s over. SMH.
So let’s discuss the Honorable Andy Foy. As everyone can see he has risen to a level of his own incompetence. He is suited no more to be Premier than the local dog catcher. His lack of the proper use of the English language makes us all twinge every time he speaks in public. That being said, the old administration were a know bunch of c—ks. Well, the fact is all politicians are c—ks so it wasn’t a real surprise. But this guy is power hungry and a c—k which is quite worrisome. Money disappearing from the treasury or kickbacks from deals is one thing. They don’t really affect the everyday man. However this man with his l-st for power is infinitely more dangerous and killing the hardworking people of the Territory. In his short career as leader he has damaged the financial sector and has now killed the tourism sector. These are the only two avenues of income into the Territory. There needs to be more in picking a leader than his ability to sit and fool the people and tell them he’s one of them and will help them. There needs to be a proven record of good governance in something before you can be elected Premier. This man doesn’t hold a track record in anything with perhaps the exception of eating. .Good luck BVI. With the Foy you are going to need all you can get.
The Foy is behaving like an arrogant (
Rhymes with “pu**”.
This man in government so long but yet he clueless like F*#K…
These are some of the examples that is shown that the Premier is listening to his friends that is not in Government having input and say so in the decisions that is made. I know you say and discussed this plan with your PAL THE PASTOR, AND AS SMART AS HE THINK HE IS, HE SHOULD HAVE LET YOU KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO TURN OUT TO BE A MESS. HAVE TO SAY IT BUT, Mr. PREMIER, IS THE PASTOR TRYING TO MAKE YOU LOOK BAD OR WHAT?
The Pastor and The Pasta
Supermarkets and bars staff did not had to go college for them to reopen. Those are the first place a tourist goes to. Hmm tourism is what the BVI depends on and yet the are not being addressed properly. Now they have to get gold seal certificate. I hope it is real gold. And all other businesses that serves tourist neeeds to get this too.
Not all these so call cancellations are genuine, some are very genuine, I spoke to a hotel owner who said she were booked full for the month of November and December and 11 of her 15 confirmed reservation cancelled after the protocol..This is difficult for all parties..I hate to start the blame game
The premier came to Jost van dyke and l**d to everyone’s face……um not surprised by nothing he does or say
The premier came to Jost van dyke and l**d to everyone’s faces nothing he does or say can surprise me
Who voted for this guy??? I won’t come back until he is no longer in charge. Can’t be trusted
Good. Stay away . ??
Bookings to the BVI are historically made well in advance mostly 12 months, if Primier is unaware of this why is he the Tourist Minister.
This whole thing with fully booked is nonsense. This big red with all her fancy talk about degrees is crap.big red at hlscc only have one bachelor’s degree ok.that is a fact . Even our premier get tricked when he talked about the different degrees she have.hello bvi people the fully booked training at hlscc in hospitality is not fully booked this is fake news. Presently there are less than 20 people undergoing training presently at hlscc. Who is really fooling who?? The auditorium can hold over 400 and for social distancing it would hold about 200. So tell the minister to look into it my people. Take a drive up to hlscc for yourself and see the number of people undergoing training. Nonsense about fully booked. Anyone out there that need the training and is told about fully booked drive up to hlscc and see for yourself. Less than 20 people presently undergoing training as of this morning and the last few days. Somebody stop fooling the people. My gosh is the minister so easy to fool??
Is this man for real?! He will not accept responsibility for anything. All his bad decisions are not his fault. Either NDP’s mess or someone else’s. I have lost the little respect I had left for this administration. Lord help us.
They talk a good talk but only their bandwagoners would be quick to hop on Facebook in support without calling them out on anything wrong.
IF THIS IS HOW VIP RUNS THE TOURISM ECONOMY, HOW MUCH WORSE FOR CANNABIS. THE WHOLE TERRITORY WILL HAVE DRUGLORDS. COLUMBIA AT UR DOORSTEP. DANDER DANDER BEWARE. GOVERNOR PLZ DO NOT CONSIDER THE CANNABIS LAW.
Premier Fahie its best you just shut up you have already put the BVI in the worse place it has ever been since the early eighties.
People always book in advance plus no one thought the protocols to visit the BVI would have been so DUM. We do have to safe guard ourselves but you left no room for most of us to make a living, what you have done is prove that you are unfit to take these Islands forward you would think that someone in your government would have tried to make you see things different but it seems like you are all the same don’t know what you are doing. “What about Persons who own residential property within the British Virgin Islands? I have checked out a lot of different Islands protocols and we are the worse. Our Main tourist it the overnight charter business which should be easy to deal with instead you are killing it with your BS protocols. You need to change your b**ly ways
We’re canceling our trip for this Christmas and New Year. Hate to do it. We love sailing in your paradise, but the added cost and restrictions make it untenable. Fahie should fear what will happen long term when tourists discover there are other beautiful island chains with a more welcoming attitude. In the meantime, we wish you all the best.
Whenever I read of people personlly saying they are going to cancel their trip and bookings to the BVI… It hurts..I wonder how the Premier and Members of his government feel when they hear and read of all these cancellations. They cant be happy.. I am Just a regular person but I know how much businesses depends on these tourists,,, Workers and lives at stake., normal human cant feel good… But Government are the one that can make things better… A more appropeiate balance needed.
The Hon. Premier is being disingenuous if he doesn’t know that many bookings for the holiday season have been on the books since last January. Question? Does he know how the economy works here? Ralph certainly did. The Hon. Premier has been in government for donkey’s years… He knows how the cruise ship companies write cheques to The accountant general… But does he know how anybody on Jost, or Anegada, or on Cane Garden Bay, makes their living?
Hon fahie you hurt alot people you all pocket full. Plenty people not working or even working with half salary cant pay Bill’s and feed themselves. I cant believe them other representatives sit there and agree with this strupes
I can only speak for my wife and I. We booked flights into the BVI as soon as the tourist opening was announced. Little did we know that we really cannot come for a week’s vacation due to the onerous COVID 19 restrictions. We will now fight to get some sort of refund but are not optimistic.
The premier is wrong, our booking was based on the announcement that BVILOVE was real and we were welcome to move about the islands.
Gov’t: *makes decision regarding tourists traveling to the BVI*
Tourists:*Cancels planned vacation because of gov’t decision*
Govt: it is difficult for us to accept full responsibility for the growing number of pre-booking cancellations following our announcement of the territory’s protocols for reopening local tourism.
Your premier is speaking nonsense. Our family cancelled specifically as a result of the BVI travel restrictions. It’s a shame that the BVILOVE campaign instilled false hope to potential travelers.
I also booked my vacation based on the BVILOVE AD. My booking agent have a strict non refundable policy. Now I have to eat the cost for a vacation I had planned a year. Yes, the Premier is so wrong and should take full responsibility for what went wrong.
Here’s the Kicker. Do no more testing and we will have no new cases. I loveee the BVI. I love it …its a very nice place…..
The BVI LOVE campaign was simply a fraud campaign. I already had 2 charters on the books when BVI LOVE came out so I booked a 3rd charter. I am fortunate that the charter company I deal with is run by honorable people.
I don’t know if I will ever return after the government ran this scam. BVI LOVE = BVI FRAUD!
It’s time to take back our country, rise up my friends!
WE have the power. Take to the streets, shut down the businesses, march on government. Show them we have had ENOUGH of their foolery.
The time is now!
Although I am not a citizen I sympathize with those of you not on the government payroll who are suffering. I have vacationed in the BVI for the past 15 years both at your resorts and on Charter Boats and love the BVI and you the people. We even came right after the hurricane to show support help with relief and have made donations to several worth while causes. Knowing how difficult it has been for BVI this year I was thrilled when the BVILOVE advertising came over here to the states telling us that you were open for tourism starting December 1st….I immediately booked a yacht charter and flights…Done Deal. Then Monday nights news that in order to come to your country I must give up 8 days of my life and be willing to spend a large sum on your “approved hotel” where I would be basically a prisoner as well as some $400 for additional Covid Test and tracking devices. NO one in their right mind would do that…so for those of you who say tourism is dead you are correct. It does not have to be this way…you can be safe and still have tourism. Perhaps focusing on this thought will help end the isolationism which is destoying your enconomy and will have trickle down effects for the next decade. Several other Caribbean islands have very good and working well protocols set up including pre arrival registration and covid testing and a medical check on arrival. You need to have those in charge look at what works….bringing in a medical team from Jamaica?
Why is the Premier Andrew Fahie
The Premier, Mister of Finance AND Mister of Tourism???
We can’t find qualified People in the BVI???
How can anything get done for the PEOPLE
When this one individual calling all the shots
We better wake the hell up FAST
Absolutely !! the day that the PM anounced the opening he should have presented the protocols as well….Donky PM..
All these Government ministers care less about us even the civil servants could care less because they are getting their full salaries. If this was affecting them they would be doing things differently so f*** all a them
Fahie, you l**d through your teeth, may god help you and the people of the Virgin Island.