Heavy increase in visitor arrivals begin, local companies reaping the benefits — BVITB

Port of Entries in the BVI are already seeing a major increase in arrivals ahead of the Long Walk to Freedom Buju Banton concert.

This is according to Director of the BVI Tourist Board Sharon Flax-Brutus who said her team of officials have been working with the various government agencies to ensure the territory is prepared for the influx.

“We have already started to see an increase in the arrivals from Wednesday so I would say from all indications it should be a very good weekend for the BVI. We expect very heavy arrivals both by sea and air on Friday and of course on Saturday being the heaviest arrival day,” the Director stated.

She said various tourism-related companies are already reaping the benefits from the increase in visitor arrivals.

“The car rental agencies are reporting being sold out and hotels are reporting very high occupancies. The Tourist Board is keeping track on which hotels have availability and right now it is very limited availability in terms of accommodations.

A lot of persons have been booking through non-traditional channels as well — making bookings in Air BnB, which we are encouraging,” Flax-Brutus said.

The Tourism Director also said the Board has already begun distributing flyers to tourists about the many other activities they can participate in while in the BVI.

“There is quite a bit of activity going on especially on Friday. We are actually doing a ‘Taste of the BVI’ — not only tasting in terms of food and beverage but also in music. So starting at the Pier Park from 10 am, there is plenty of activities including a mini parade. We have the heritage village in East End/Long Look which will be opened as well, and there will be music and sampling of drinks there,” the Director stated.

She further said: “The Tourist Board will be set up at the drive with samplings and we have tastings as well which are not limited to Tortola, but also in Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Also, for the first time, we are doing something in Carrot Bay which will be a precursor to a bigger plan that we have for community tourism in that area with Elmore Stoutt, who will be doing some storytelling from a cultural standpoint.”

Flax-Brutus also said that international media will be entering the territory to cover the event which she views as a great opportunity for additional exposure for the BVI.

The show is scheduled to begin at 5pm on Saturday, June 15 at the festival grounds in Road Town.