Premier responds to Walwyn’s criticism of Uber Soca cruise
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has pushed back against Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn’s criticism of the government’s support for the Uber Soca Cruise, insisting the event delivered clear cultural and economic benefits to the Virgin Islands.
Walwyn was one of the most vocal critics of the recent event, chiding the government for shutting down parts of the economy to facilitate a party and wasting much-needed public funds on entertainment.
But Premier Wheatley maintained that the event is a viable aspect of the territory’s tourism product.
“While the Leader of the Opposition has termed this as just another party and government squandering resources, Uber Soca Cruise confirms that entertainment tourism is a legitimate sector of our tourism industry and can also give an economic boost to the retail and wholesale sectors of our economy,” the territory’s leader said.
He added that the arrival of the cruise — which brought thousands of visitors to the territory — underscored the BVI’s growing reputation as an entertainment-driven tourism hub. He argued that the event showcased “the very best of who we are — our culture, creativity, and spirit,” and highlighted the economic potential of music and cultural expression as part of the territory’s tourism product.
The Premier’s response comes against a backdrop of heavy public backlash in recent months as residents continue to raise concerns about the government’s priorities.
Across social media and community forums, many Virgin Islanders have argued that the administration has placed too much emphasis on festivals, concerts, and entertainment partnerships even as the territory faces persistent water shortages, infrastructure deterioration, and delays in critical public works projects.
Those frustrations intensified during the summer festival period and again with the return of major entertainment events, with critics saying the government should focus first on fixing basic services before investing in high-profile cultural initiatives. Walwyn has repeatedly echoed those sentiments, framing the Uber Soca Cruise as part of a broader pattern of misplaced spending.
Dr Wheatley, however, maintains that cultural tourism can coexist with national development priorities and that events like the Uber Soca Cruise introduce new revenue streams that ultimately benefit the wider economy.
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Myron is right. This was craziness. We just blew 500k of direct public funds and lost money because government offices had to shut down. Other local businesses had to close their doors as well. All this for a party? Are we serious? Don’t we see the state of our country?
If the event showcased, the very best of who we are: our culture, creativity, and spirit, and underscored the territory’s growing reputation as an entertainment-driven tourism hub; God help the Virgin Island’s!
The dude ìn Miami walked the lion’s den with his calculator , talk onthe street is ( was this all a front or distraction to conceal what was really going on behind the scenes ?)? did the crowd provided a perfect cover for the * popular ” business ?- Was there a calculator in his gift bag ? after the way they raised their own salaries, which was really slick, so we have to wonder how slick this dude really is ?
The opposition leader had the longest happy hours at both of his establishments on the same day
While Hon. Walwyn may have been very Vocal from a government’s Standpoint being leader of the Opposition, There were quite a Number of Opposing Voices across the Spectrum. On Social Media and Physical Conversations from Teachers, Government Workers, Retired Government Employees, even CSC, (Dishonestly Speaking). Sometimes, its Not what is portrayed in-front your Face, Its the unseen and unheard Voices. Although the Event meant nothing to me one way or the other, I Think it is Time for the Premier and His Government to Pay attention to what the Residents of This Territory are saying or are Complaining about especially when it pertains to the Core State of the Territory Like the Infractructure, Basic Amenities like Water, Electricity, Education, Healthcare, Cost of Living, Youths and Seniors Needs and attention, Equity amongst Districts, Amongst other Societal Ills plaguing the Territory and Hindering its Growth. While in some Cases Some people may Criticize just for the heck of Criticizing, Viewing our Territory from a Civil-Minded View Point, Most if Not All the Critical Points are Real and Must be dealt with in order for this Territory to Progress and I didn’t mentioned the Wastage Spending of Taxpayers Money which should be used to fix these Issues. I personally have No Dog in the Fight But presently, WE are NOT in a Good Place. If the Majority of Citizens in a Country are Crying out everyday, it means Something is Wrong with the Direction we are Headed. I Think and Know that the Premier and His Team will get Genuine Support if He would Listen More and Hire Advisors who are Part of the Territory. Who Cares about the Betterment of the Territory and People. The People are Fed up with this type of Leadership and when you are Fed up You sometimes make silly Mistakes because you are Hungry for Better. Come on VIP its Time to get your Act together or throw in the Towel instead of holding the Territory Hostage. People are Crying for Better. Its Not too Late to Fix Things. Everybody makes Mistakes But only a Credible Person would admit their Mistake and work towards fixing it. You are First given the Opportunity to make a Change, Don’t allow the Voters to make that needed Change.
@ concerned Citizen: I concur
However; your ‘shift’ key must be tired from all that you expressed wholeheartedly. That Is Some Serious Dedication And Typing Skills!!! Kudos….
Only an individual who has a business mind would take this opportunity and run with it.
Myron would have done the same damn thing so please stop the foolish noise. Petty politics is killing the BVI! The reality is water, sewerage, roads, education every f**king thing has gone to s**t under all parties. Myron served 8 years as a Minister and while he has done a lot more than most Education Ministers, his government did not fix a lot of the things that he is now here moaning about. The BVI has bigger problems than politicians which is evident as regardless of which party is in power their focus is always on the wrong things. Let’s stop beating a dead horse please, no matter which government was in they would have welcomed the Uber Soca Cruise with all conditions required. NEXT!!!
Worst than this happened in the virgin islands. Keep on living.
Saying it again:
BVI has fallen from Yachting Capital of the World to UberSoca Cruise wukup pitstop. All is lost.
The same people who blogging supporting Natalio I sure they don’t have water to bathe properly this morning. I sure on the way to work their car was dropping in pot hole after pothole. We have to stop defending crap in the name of party politics. Put our country first and not self.
This is the worst person to ever be a finance minister, I have never heard him speaking to the science of finance or business, he is just a music jockey dubbing music and parties, at least he living his best flying the world to different night life, natalio we going have to vote you out so you can go back to partying.
Locals will never be in the marine industry.Its like a curiosity they can barely understand past cruises and poker run.This is not whitey fault cause y’all know what you want.truck,bus and hair salon….and boats y’all can’t handle.
If Ralph can get vote out in Vincy then Slowande can get vote out here