Don’t reserve The Baths for the ‘filthy rich’
Former legislator Shereen Flax-Charles has pushed back against any move to give wealthy visitors exclusive access to The Baths, arguing that overcrowding at the world-famous attraction should be managed without shutting out residents and other visitors.
“Everybody shouldn’t go to The Baths at any given time, because we know for years we have an overcrowding situation there,” Flax-Charles said during a recent marine industry forum.
However, she warned that addressing overcrowding should not mean reserving the attraction for an elite group.
“That doesn’t mean that we must close off The Baths for a select few filthy rich persons. It should never happen,” she said.
Her comments come amid controversy over the National Parks Trust’s proposed arrangement with an unnamed international luxury cruise operator. The Trust confirmed this month that it was in advanced negotiations to provide the operator with reserved access to The Baths and Devil’s Bay for nine mornings during the peak tourism season. Fewer than 150 passengers would be allowed access between 9 a.m. and noon, with normal public access resuming afterwards.
The proposal triggered public backlash, including opposition from Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley, who declared that restricting the attraction for the benefit of a cruise operator was “not going to happen.”
The controversy comes against longstanding concerns about overcrowding. The territory’s Tourism Summit report noted that research places The Baths’ carrying capacity at 893 visitors at any one time, while Virgin Gorda residents have repeatedly complained that heavy cruise traffic is degrading the visitor experience.
Flax-Charles said authorities should revisit a carrying-capacity study and consider directing more visitors to The Baths during traditionally slow months such as August, September and early October rather than concentrating traffic during peak periods.
“This is the perfect opportunity,” she said, arguing that spreading visits throughout the year could help extend the tourism season.
She also urged the government to provide greater financial support to the National Parks Trust. The Trust says its park system costs more than $3 million annually to operate, while the government’s subvention covers only about 28 percent.
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IS Y’ALL BETTER NOT F UP A HISTORICAL LAND MARK. I HAVE A FEELING THE INK IS DRIED ON THE PAPER AND THE DEAL IS SEALED AND NOW PEOPLE IS SCRAMBLING TO DO DAMAGE CONTROL. Y’ALL GIVE AWAY THE BATHS, SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE BVI.
What we are witnessing here is typical BVI behavior. Initiatives are good or bad depending on who is benefitting. It seems like the ‘Sisters’ were left out of the loop on this one with their luxury businesses so it’s carnage. They are no longer elected rep and BVITB head respectively so everything is bad. This was the same woman aboard the same cruise line that wants exclusivity, touting them as the best thing and what the BVI needs instead of bigger ships. Now she is singing an entirely different tune? She was aboard the ship, eating and drinking big, making lavish statements about how impressive it is, and we should attract more of them. These are the next set of leaders? Good luck to you all.
Don’t take my word for it, view the link below. Power is a hell of a drug!
https://www.facebook.com/shereenflaxcharlesbvi/posts/it-was-an-absolute-pleasure-joining-my-colleagues-and-the-crew-of-the-ritz-carlt/617918510260080/
Finally someone with eyes wide OPEN ,and there are 2 publicatios that they have firmly in their pocket and one is NOT the yello site.
Look how them tongue does change
Believe me the cruise ship passengers are far from “filthy rich “ this is a political stupid statement.
if they are entertaining the ultra luxury cruise brands like Four Seasons, Aman, and Ritz then yeah the majority of those passengers are rich
In the mean and between time. I shall not and will not be treated as a second thought or a second class citizen at no instance in the Virgin Islands where I can trace my roots to the 3rd and 4th generations on both sides of my family on Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
Well, the furthest I can trace my roots is to Peebles hospital but I share your same sentiments sir. In te mean and between time, not even the leader of this country can say he born Peebles hospital…SMH!!
this whole thing dumb
hardly yall does go baths on reg.
if them need money let them do it
if this dont work out guess who going have to foot the expense they can’t keep up with?
we the people. watch a new tax or increase come cuz yall using emotions instead of sense
This situation is dumb yes, because of moronic comments like this.
Even if you do not exercise a right, it’s not supposed to be taken away from you. Beaches are public access by law. If you don’t use your backyard is it okay if I set up a shack? No.
Use your brain to think about why allowing the government to restrict access to give tourists what they want might develop into a problem.
They can find the funds another way.
Now she done mess up my vote I had for her