Gov’t to meet with tourism stakeholders to discuss reopening
Amid public criticism that the government has no comprehensive plan for the territory’s reopening of tourism on December 1, Premier Andrew Fahie has announced a series of meetings scheduled to engage tourism stakeholders ahead of that date.
The meetings will be held virtually over the next two weeks and hosted by officials of the BVI Tourist Board.
In a press release issued October 5, Premier Fahie — who is also the Tourism Minister — said, “it is critical that the government meets with stakeholders in the service industry at this juncture as it actions its reopening plans for the territory”.
“As I have said on many occasions, we are in this together, Government officials, Government agencies and private sector in ensuring that our guests are welcomed in the safest manner possible and that our communities remain safe as well,” he stated.
The Premier said the discussions are expected to be productive as the industry experts get an opportunity to review the plans and give input which will ultimately aid in the finalisation of the COVID-19 protocols for tourism.
In recent times, members of the parliamentary Opposition, as well as the BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association (BVICCHA), have criticised and raised concerns about stakeholders being left in the dark in relation to the safety protocols that will be obtained when the territory reopens on December 1.
The BVICCHA also released a statement expressing disappointment in the government’s rejection of a set of protocols it created to assist in the safe reopening of the territory.
Eager to lead discussions
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the BVI Tourist Board, Kenisha Sprauve said the board is eager to lead the discussions with its industry partners as they finalise the COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the various sectors of the tourism industry.
She said: “The frank and impartial discussions will be the perfect opportunity for experts in the various industries to lend their voices to the COVID-19 strategies proposed for the reopening.”
Sprauve added that stakeholders who have not received an invitation may contact the BVI Tourist Board for the meeting details.
See below for the scheduled industry meetings:
• Tuesday, October 6 with resorts, private islands and large hotels
• Wednesday, October 7 with small hotels, guesthouses and villas
• Thursday, October 8 with licensed taxi operatives
• Tuesday, October 13 with tour operators, shuttles, car rentals
• Wednesday, October 14 with marinas and crewed yacht charters, bareboat yacht charters
• Thursday, October 15 with diving and water sports
• Tuesday, October 20 — restaurants and bars
• Wednesday, October 21 with spas and salons
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to contact the BVI Tourist Board at (284) 852-6020 or via email at [email protected]
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What about the Day Charter business?
Weds 14th October @ 7:00 pm is for marinas, day sail, crewed & bareboat charters
Last night the government dictated to hotels the terms under which guests will be allowed to come and stay after Dec 1st. Tests before arriving, tests on arrival, FOUR DAY quarantine, wrist bands to make sure they don’t stray, sitting six feet apart, no mingling with other guests, servers in hazmat suits.
No discussion or suggestions from the industry were allowed.
What planet are these people living on? Do they really imagine people are going to travel from the USA or Europe and pay our prices to be treated like high risk prisoners with the plague?
Do they really imagine hotels are going to go to the expense of opening, hiring staff and so forth under these conditions.
Antigua has better communications, lower prices, only requires a test before entry AND ITS EMPTY.
Get real.
the poor girl is not even wearing a mask
She need a mask to protect the millions of people around her?
Well just allowed everyone who are locked to go back in without all the protocals that you are requesting right now. There are people licked out for minths now wil the government help to pay their apt. rent???
None of these meetings mean anything without establishing the protocol for tourists entering If they have to quarantine then I can tell you don’t bother with your meetings. Nobody is coming. Announce the protocols so tourists can make reservations. Have your useless meetings later on.
The big question from tourists is whether they can fly into St Thomas & catch a ferry to Tortola.
This question is HUGE for families as it is generally cheaper to fly into St Thomas compared to Beef Island. It makes a difference whether a family comes to the BVI or not!
No is the answer to your question. Only through Beef Island allowed. The tourist season was already dead and lying in its coffin and now awful Andy just banged another nail in
The big question from tourists is whether they can fly into St Thomas & catch a ferry to Tortola.
This question is HUGE for families as it is generally cheaper to fly into St Thomas compared to Beef Island. It makes a difference whether a family comes to the BVI or not!
Frankly, the “big” question is do we even bother to make reservations? Is it worth it or is it so ill planned that we will end up cancelling and losing money?
Also consider the possibility of having to test again in order to re-enter the USVI to fly home from STT..or even SJU. Both require a negative Covid test to enter the territory. I’d assume crossing the border to the BVIs will subject you to this requirement upon re-entry.
Such a beautiful country, it’s a shame this is happening to it.
The proper wording on the sign should read “May I help you.” It is the person seeking help who should say the word can.
Andrew, until a few months ago I thought you had done a great job as Premier. Now, not so much. You STILL haven’t met with stakeholders. You rejected the plan submitted by the CC and Hotel Association and the Marine Association, without comment. You are waiting for another week to tell us your protocols, putting the marine sector behind taxis, rental cars, etc, and throwing away another week during which reservations could be being taken. And, what if your protocols require tweaking? But, above all, why was this work not done two months ago, when it would have done much more good, and you would have retained the esteem of the community. Why?
So the Premier has to accept unsolicited protocols from citizens now…why???
Why did CCHA try to sell their protocols ?? Let’s stop acting like it was offered from the goodness of their heart.
Since when did the members of the CCHA become health professionals? The Premier and the Min. of Health takes advise from the qualified health personnel to further keep the populous safe and protected from Covid 19.
50+ cases that are monitored to ensure recovery, along with tracking is a tedious task to curb further transmission.
You all just seeing $$, could care less about the resident’s health. Thats reckless attitude.
This photo is old, this was taken before Covi-19 came on the seen.
Who cares when the photo was taken. The reality is that there is no desire to help. Just leave a few bucks and get the h**l off the island. That’s what the sign should say.
Just wait when the first cruise ship shows interest to coming in all discussions about Protocols are going to be thrown overboard that certain people can fill their pockets.
Since when did the members of the CCHA become health professionals? The Premier and the Min. of Health takes advise from the qualified health personnel to further keep the populous safe and protected from Covid 19.
50+ cases that are monitored to ensure recovery, along with tracking is a tedious task to curb further transmission.
You all just seeing $$, could care less about the resident’s health. Thats reckless attitude.
Since when did the members of the CCHA become health professionals? The Premier and the Min. of Health takes advise from the qualified health personnel to further keep the populous safe and protected from Covid 19.
50+ cases that are monitored to ensure recovery, along with tracking is a tedious task to curb further transmission.
You all just seeing $$, could care less about the resident’s health. Thats reckless attitude.