Rosan hits back at Premier’s latest defence of overseas travel

Political commentator and talk show host Cindy Rosan has pushed back against Premier Natalio Wheatley’s latest defence of his government’s overseas travel, arguing that taxpayers deserve measurable proof that the frequent trips are producing real benefits for the Virgin Islands.

Speaking recently on her Morning Facts programme, Rosan questioned the value of what she described as the government’s growing travel budget, saying residents are repeatedly told official trips were “successful” without being presented with evidence of what was achieved.

Her comments come after the Premier recently defended his overseas engagements on the Too Inquisitive podcast, insisting that international travel is an essential part of his job and delivers tangible results for the territory through tourism promotion, constitutional negotiations and regional cooperation. He also rejected suggestions that the trips amount to leisure travel, saying government officials spend long hours in meetings while representing the BVI overseas.

However, Rosan argued that those claims should be backed by concrete outcomes.

“You said it was a success. Tell us what this success is. Tell us who you spoke to, what their agreements were, when these agreements were going to take effect and follow through,” she said.

According to Rosan, simply announcing that meetings were held or that officials are “looking forward to working together” is no longer enough.

“There is no hard facts, no data, nothing to say that any of this is beneficial to the territory,” she argued.

Rosan also questioned whether ministers need to attend every conference and international event, suggesting many trips could instead be handled by senior public officers. She said sending junior staff to some conferences would help build institutional knowledge while significantly reducing costs, arguing they could travel in economy class and stay in modest accommodations.

“Let the junior staff go and experience that. Let them go and bring back what they have learned, what they think could be applied to the territory, because that’s how you build continuity in leadership,” Rosan said.

While acknowledging that attendance at key constitutional meetings in the United Kingdom and annual regional gatherings is necessary, Rosan contended that many other overseas trips appear difficult to justify. The Premier has consistently defended his administration’s travel, maintaining that overseas engagement is necessary to protect the BVI’s interests, strengthen diplomatic relationships and secure opportunities that benefit the territory.