Nearly 50% of arrivals so far are tourists
After weeks of speculation and requests for statistics, the government has released official numbers collected from the BVI Gateway portal, giving the public an idea of how the territory’s tourism product is recovering amid the onset of COVID-19.
The official numbers were in a statement by Premier Andrew Fahie on December 24.
According to the statement, as of December 23, some 2,315 persons arrived in the BVI.
Of this number, 1,081 were tourists. This represents an approximate majority of 47 percent of the arrivals so far. The Premier further reported that 121 (roughly 5%) were work permit holders, and 466 (approximately 20%) were residents.
The Premier did not categorise the remaining 647 travellers.
“The interest has been high for persons wanting to come to the BVI and the outlook remains for a positive trend in 2021 as long as we maintain our control over the coronavirus situation on our shores,” Premier Andrew Fahie’s statement said.
Under normal circumstances, tourism contributes some 40 percent to the BVI’s annual Gross Domestic Product. But the industry took a major battering in 2020 because of COVID-19, which forced the government to close its borders for more than seven months.
Members of the public have also expressed concern about glitches within the BVI Gateway portal where travellers to the BVI must register before arrival. These glitches are reported to have deterred many persons who were hoping to travel to the BVI.
In his statement to the territory, Premier Fahie admitted that there “have been a few minor bumps during the roll-out”.
“This is not uncommon when you begin to transition theory into practice. We must remember COVID-19 did not come with a playbook and every country is writing its own playbook as they try to identify the protocols and processes that work in their unique situation,” Premier Fahie said.
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“The Premier did not categorise the remaining 647 travellers.” No, he just can do maths.
647 island people joining the police force
“Of this number, 1,081 were tourists. This represents an approximate majority of 47 percent”
A majority of 47%?
And we think we are educated enough to be an independent country….
BVI News are the ones that chose to label it a majority not the government or the Premier. You can verify the information yourself by visiting the Government’s Facebook account for the statement. Also BVInews is correct because they were focusing on the 3 specific groups of travellers that came to the BVI. Tourist were the majority of the 3 types of travellers to the BVI.
Of the “tourists”, many are home owners who come here as tourists to save hassle at the airport.
47% a majority ?
Did you can a dumb for Christmas? If 5% are work permit holders, 20% are residents and 47% were tourist, who would you say were the majority?
The 53% who are not tourists are the majority.
Not survivable.
Yes 53% would be a majority in ordinary circumstances BUT BVINEWS is comparing specific groups of people which the tourist being 47% are the majority. Plus 1000 visitors in 3 weeks is great especially considering the pandemic and all the red tape just to visit.
I believe that would be called a plurality.
I believe that would be called a plurality.
I wouldn’t trust these numbers as far as I can throw the Foy. So let’s take a look. 1000 tourists over 23 days equates to 43 tourists a day. There is no way that there are that many coming in per day. What are they flying in on? Magic carpets? Once again the Foy tweaks the numbers so he looks good. Too bad everyone sees through is nonsense. He truly believes he is smarter than everyone but the math professor can’t do simple math . How sad.
Agree with you,only a hand full of sailing boats outthere and not much rental cars on the roads.
I’m saying the same thing. I came in on a Seabourne flight December 10, 2020, with 7 of us on that flight only 3 were tourists. So I’m not trusting those numbers. The flight from STT on that day had the same low numbers.
terrible position to be placed in, but for the sake of the economy and the relief to many, many lives, opening up is necessary.
Hope the country can withstand the consequences that is sure to follow, as there may a significant rise in infections and maybe even deaths.
Destroying an economy does not kill a virus.
Apparently Foy is afraid to say how many Belongers came in, brought Covid with them. You can be assured they are not staying in quarantine. People seeing the big people all over out and about. Foy arrest them and make them pay $100k
Omfg…
We can’t even do simple math. Sigh
Same set of people blogging foolishness
The word is plurality; the
largest group, but short of a majority.
Are the 647 new work permit holders???
Well I guess all the laws and new implementation these past months were for those 121 work permit holders locked out for reasons beyond their control. What a thing.?♀️
Stop lying to the ppl
Most of the ppl coming in is not tourist
The are residents
Stop living in fantasy