Smith rejects claims of ‘no tourists in Road Town’
Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith has pushed back against suggestions that Road Town is devoid of visitors, pointing to full flights and bustling activity in the capital.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Smith said she had personally witnessed a steady flow of visitors during the summer season.
“We know very well that American Airlines continues to land sometimes up to six times a day full and departs full,” she stated. “I heard it said that there are no tourists around. I am seeing… tourists coming and going. And I see them in Road Town, too.”
The BVI’s direct Miami–Beef Island service, launched in June 2023, has been widely credited with improving airlift access to the territory. Smith described it as a “game changer” for both residents and visitors, sharing the example of a local businesswoman who could work in her store until late afternoon, fly to Miami, collect merchandise, and be back in the territory the next day.
Her remarks come amid ongoing debate about the state of the tourism sector. In late 2024, Deputy Premier Julian Fraser told lawmakers that visitors were wandering aimlessly around the capital city with little to do after disembarking from cruise ships.
“Some days ago I went out by the cruise ship… I was amazed at the size of those ships,” Fraser recounted. “Then those people get off the ships… and they’re walking around like wandering Jews. There’s nothing to do, there’s nothing to see”.
Cruise calls have rebounded dramatically since the pandemic, with BVI Ports Authority figures showing more than 300,000 passengers visiting in the 2023/24 season. The government has also promoted stayover tourism, with Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley calling for diversification to boost economic resilience.
Smith said the recent arrival of another airline underscored the territory’s growing appeal.
“Just this Sunday, one of my friends sent me a photograph of yet another carrier — Sunrise Airways… It was a proper plane. It was a big plane. These developments don’t happen by accident. They happen because this territory is doing something right,” she told the House.
Smith urged colleagues and the public to recognise the positive signs.
“What more can we ask for?” she said, highlighting the benefits that tourism brings to shops, restaurants, and transport providers across the islands.
Junior Minister for Tourism Luce Hodge‑Smith is leading efforts to revitalise Road Town under the Road Town Partnership initiative. She previously confirmed that three projects — sidewalks on de Castro Street, the refurbishing of the main roundabout, and a pedestrian mall between the Cutlass Tower and Vanterpool Pharmacy — were set to begin by July or August, supported by a $1.4 million investment from a broader $100 million loan facility.
Tourism stakeholders have long called for more activities and retail options in the capital to encourage visitor spending. While Road Town’s ferry terminal, cruise pier park, and shopping areas draw some foot traffic, concerns remain about the number of businesses open when ships are not in port.
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All credibility is lost by you, long ago! Where is our 5 million? explain the Bank of Asia mess to us. Be honest, for once!
yes but they arrive on Friday full and leave Saturday full as its turnover day for the yachts , these people do not stay in Road Town, its a dump!
And never visit the Capital , I dont see the problem.
She would lick Natalio’s boots just to have a little power. She has no credibility with nothing. That man humiliated her and yet she slither like a little puppy dog right back by him for a bone.
No one is coming to the BVI to go shopping. Roadtown has no beautiful old buildings or churches that tourists might want to see. (is Europe) Tourists come to the BVI to go sailing, stay at a villa, and go to beaches.
Hon. Smith seems not to understand a lot of things. So you see tourist wondering around aimlessly in town. Are they buying? The answer is Noooo! And a big part of the problem is that we have no product to offer them besides beaches. Lorna has become another one of the backside lickers for Natalio rather than getting him to do better. He sucks as the minister of tourism.
The truth is, the cruise ships have been a boondoggle, not a boon.
Tortola residents avoid going into town.
Politician. If she went to the beach or out sailing she would see plenty of visitors. The only people who go to Road Town are the people who work there!
Whether they come on, is seen or walk the streets of town, not a red cent is usually spent with the average Black business or person.
All knows this, so what is the objective of this post, to get them spending in Black businesses?
We will keep waiting.
Some wants to see more Black owned businesses in town, period.
We once owned all of the clothing, shoes and others. This must return!
“Some days ago I went out by the cruise ship… I was amazed at the size of those ships,” Fraser recounted. “Then those people get off the ships… and they’re walking around like wandering Jews. There’s nothing to do, there’s nothing to see”.
That n this is a lie from hell Julian Fraser. There are many things to do in the entire BVI. If you were by the Cruise pier you would have seen the tourists going on day trips by ferries to the outer islands and taking
island tours on safaris while some opt to walk around the pier park or road town. You should have kept your mouth shut. I’ll just rest this here.
IT WILL BE WISE , NOT TO HOLD YOUR BREATH
Different strokes, for different folks!
Tourists are finicky Some want to shop, some, not so much!
Others want to eat, and some, want to do beach!
Some want a day sail, others, want to island hop
You can’t expect thousands to convene in that tiny area of town!
It’s just not doable!
Here on St Thomas, tens of thousands may sail in. And Main Street are at times, empty!
Different strokes, for different folks!
The vast majority of the tourists on Tortola go direct to the Moorings or other marinas. Most stay on the cruise ships and do organized trips to CGB. I do see the occasional tourist wandering through town with a confused look on their faces as there is nowhere to walk to.
Remind her they come to the BVI not for our town or our shops. They come here for our NATURE!
Stop destroying it for the personal profits of she and her friends/family!
Stop! Learn the value of leaving Nature alone!
Your money hunger is destroying the very thing that brings these tourists to the BVI.
Only the Germans actually walk..some Brits..the fat Yanks..not a chance… plus alot of then are exhausted by the social breakdown in their towns and cities,and don’t trust certain folks…the real reason is taxi man begging jobs.beach trips.Bye.
As one of these tourists….Road Town is a dump, nothing to see or do, dirty, scruffy – now Virgin Gorda – what a place! Tortola could learn a few lessons