Opposition Leader benefitted from Uber Soca Cruise too — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has pointed out that The Pub — a business linked to Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn — benefited from the Uber Soca Cruise, despite Walwyn’s criticism of government support for the controversial event.
Dr Wheatley said he was pleased to see The Pub advertising during Uber Soca-related activities, but suggested it was contradictory to profit from the event while publicly dismissing its passengers as the “wrong demographic.”
“I even saw The Pub advertising at the Uber Soca,” the Premier said amid chuckles from members in the House of Assembly. “And I don’t want to make any problems in terms of the ownership of The Pub. But I was very happy when I saw that even The Pub saw the opportunity that came with the Uber Soca. And if The Pub could see it, why can’t the rest of us see it?” the territory’s leader questioned.
The Premier’s comments came after Walwyn claimed that valuable public funds were spent to accommodate the Uber Soca Cruise, arguing that its demographic was not ideal for the territory. Dr Wheatley rejected that view, describing it as discriminatory and harmful to inclusive tourism development.
Vendors sold out
According to the Premier, the Uber Soca Cruise generated significant direct spending for local vendors, particularly small operators who rely heavily on visitor traffic. He recalled being on the grounds behind the government administration building and witnessing vendors experiencing strong demand from cruise passengers.
“Every single vendor there ran out of things,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that many small businesses are unable to benefit from ultra-luxury tourism centred on private islands and exclusive resorts such as Mosquito Island, Necker Island, Belmont or Oil Nut Bay.
Dr Wheatley argued that cruise tourism plays a critical role in introducing visitors to the Virgin Islands, many of whom later return as overnight guests. He said cruise products, including niche offerings such as Uber Soca, help diversify the tourism market and allow broader participation across the sector.
Diversified tourism important
The Premier also pushed back against the idea that the BVI should cater to only one type of visitor, warning that such an approach limits opportunity and excludes many residents from earning a tourism dollar. He said diversification enables people who may not traditionally benefit from tourism to do so.
Addressing criticism of the Uber Soca demographic, the Premier noted that many Uber Soca passengers are professionals from the Caribbean diaspora, including individuals living and working in the United States — one of the BVI’s key tourism markets.
“My family members are some of them,” the Premier said, noting that two of his sisters regularly attend Uber Soca cruises. “And you are telling me that their money is no good in the Virgin Islands?”
Despite ongoing criticism of cruise tourism, Dr Wheatley said the government has invested heavily in cruise infrastructure and will continue to do so in a way that benefits a wide cross-section of the population without degrading the tourism product. Looking ahead to 2026, the Premier said projects such as the Brandywine Bay Project and the Harbour Project will help diversify areas accessible to cruise visitors, spreading economic benefits more evenly across the territory.
“From a tourism standpoint, we will continue to build a tourism product that welcomes everyone,” Dr Wheatley said, “and ensures that more Virgin Islanders can benefit.”
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What sense does this make? This is the level of political discourse we have in the BVI? I heard Myron saying that we had other priorities that should have been taken care first before we spend 500k on a street party that might not give us any returns. I do not disagree with him at all. If the government went ahead and did this and he has a legitimate business should he close because he does not agree that our priorities are in the right place? If we are to be a serious democracy this cannot be the level of our political debates and discussions. No wonder we are in the mess that we are in. We have immature and petty type leadership.
Are we disgusted when Government spends the same money to sponsor regattas and the ‘higher level’ tourism events in the BVI? The only difference here is wealth and skin color, call it what it is. There’s no issue when government sponsor certain events. If you are concerned about spending, then keep the same energy for all events. If it was up to me not a dime of government money would go to these things but let’s be fair across the board.
Mr. Premier please give us the report on the economic impact of this uber soca cruise. This was promised for two other parties you funded before and we have not to date seen any.
If A spent $500,000 on a party and B earned $100 from the same party. Who have more sense? If he put the folly away, he won’t have to worry about what the hell the opposition leader is doing.
cruise caused great lost also by shutting down the country half day…persons had to rush out of town creating a big gap of no revenue being generated… only those that sold the devils juice benefited from this event
And shut down schools so that school children could go party. He jammin’
Is this about, Myron benefiting? Really?the real picture, should be about the benefits of the country!!
A** hold premier get to work and bil back road town school and get chines to fix roads u talking about who’s party partying u and a stupid Guy don’t don’t deserve to be in your position. You have to come out
this guy is just too petty. Can we please just deal with facts and accept wrong as wrong and right as right. Tola people always up in their feelings deh man
6th letter of the alphabet the Premier.
From the soca party
How did the territory benifitted
Is Myron the country
Cannot believe intelligent m
People can make such an statemenr
BVI has become an alcohol based tourism model, much like Ft Lauderdale of the 80s. Ft. Lauderdale woke up and took many years to redefine itself. Unfortunately BVI wants beach bars and drunken parties for all. Shame. Use to be a class act here in BVI. Not for nothing, anyone notice the lack of super yachts in the area? Yeah, they recognize the trashy downfall of the BVI too
If the opposition member has a business that sells drinks and the place is open during the nonsense Uber wuk up party, what is likely to happen? We are where we are because we have a child running the BVI.
More like a dumb jack donkey so full of itself with arrogance, stupidity, childishness,ignorance and utter incompetence.Those enabling his behavior and actions are just looking out for their baskets to be overflowing. Not one iotta of concern for the people muchless the Territory.
We need data to assess the benefit/profitability of any event. To date the government has not presented us with any. Show us the date. I own a business on the uber soca route and I did not benefit and had to clean up the paint off the building after. We should stop copying what the USVI does and make decisions based on the BVI’s unique characteristics. What is good for them may not be good for us. We are less populated, less developed and more pristine. If it were not for the way the outer islands are kept, there would not be any interest in the part of the world. We are already filthy, and the uber soca cruise added to the filth. I’m sure some monies circulated, but not enough to make it even worth the effort. Our representatives are letting us down big time!!!