Stakeholders crying as gov’t earns big from tourism levy
A close examination of the 2024 budget reveals that the environmental and tourism levy that is imposed on visitors entering the territory is becoming one of the many mysteries in the BVI.
Tourists (excluding cruise passengers) started paying the levy in 2017 and the government promised that the monies from that tax would be used to fund projects for environmental protection and the development of tourist sites and tourism-related activities.
Figures from the 2024 budget shows that the government continues to earn substantial amounts from the levy even as local tourism stakeholders continue to mourn the lack of investment in tourism-related infrastructure.
According to the 2024 budget, the tourist arrival levy revenues for 2023 have been much higher than expected. By the end of this year, the BVI is estimated to see $2.24 million from that levy.
This is more than $545,000 above the initial estimates, and a 24.07% increase over 2022 figures.
This shows that the levy is working as it should. Yet as recently as last week, industry player and tourism advocate Sharon Flax-Brutus was bemoaning the aesthetics of the BVI, saying the territory wasn’t ready for the start of the winter tourist season.
But that’s not all. The tourism levy is performing so well that the government expects to earn even more in 2024. Based on the budget presented by the Premier yesterday, revenue from the tourist arrival levy is projected to increase by 10% to $2.46 million in 2024.
This projection simply compounds the mystery of the tourism levy and begs the question, “what exactly are the funds being used for?”
In the past, it was revealed that some of the funds from the tourism levy was set to go to the BVI Tourist Board for marketing purposes, the Climate Change Trust Fund, and the rest to the National Parks Trust.
However, it is unclear how the monies from the tax are currently being used and whether any of the money can be used to improve roadways and sidewalks in areas regularly frequented by visitors.
In 2019, it was also revealed that the total amount of environmental and tourism levy collected was well in excess of $1 million but none had been used at that time.
It is unclear how much money the government has collected to date and how much has been used since the levy was implemented in 2017.
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How putting some of that cash into public restrooms at Trellis Bay? It is 2023, not 1923 after all. Embarrassing.
Yes. It is embarrassing when guests ask what the tax is spent on.
They notice the extra fee when they come in.
And then they notice the roads are a mess, the smell of sewage in RT, and buildings everywhere on the hills and shorelines.
We tax their money but show ZERO respect for our environment.
how about putting people above p^^^ssy.
this man CANNOT STAY AS NO PREMIERR evefrytime I see him I am just getting in a rage …..he cannot stay there …….somebody speak some sense to this man because we not going like the outcome talk to him
tell him to resign …
“ it is unclear how the monies from the tax are currently being used”. Why doesn’t this surprise me. UK now !
“It is unclear how the money is being used”
Business as usual in the BVI.
But someone in government or their family or friends profiting from it for sure.
@and ,I agreed with you but at the end them will say how much them spend on them bathroom everything for this government is millions, look at the market aquare over 1 million was spend on it ,and just look how ghotto is look nothing to keep the sun and rain off the minister just robbing us blind
you would think all that tax collected can pay for a new incinerator so residents and tourists don’t have to inhale so much burning garbage smoke. Its really criminal how the territories needs are neglected. We literally get noting for our tax dollars in BVI.
Still waiting to be paid for the fantastic project we created for the BVI! Your welcome! Just pay me for my work! Quit fighting over moneys you earn because of my efforts.
how can the we act supprised , those of us who is familiar with *common sense * know it had to come sooner or later , sweeping rotten
eggs under the rug
isn’t going to get rid of the smell , sooner or later it’s gonna show up •¿• and scapegoating people like the UK etc is only fooling yourself / smooth talkers always out talk themselves , sooner or later / and even when their actions bespoke them they will always try to wiggle their way out of it ( it’s like getting caught on camera a
how can the we act supprised , those of us who is familiar with *common sense * know it had to come sooner or later , sweeping rotten
eggs under the rug
isn’t going to get rid of the smell , sooner or later it’s gonna show up •¿• and scapegoating people like the UK etc is only fooling yourself / smooth talkers always out talk themselves , sooner or later / and even when their actions bespoke them they will always try to wiggle their way out of it ( it’s like getting caught on camera and still saying it was a look alike