Too little revenue coming from marine sector, Premier says
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that the BVI is not generating sufficient revenue from its marine sector, despite its international status as a premier sailing destination.
Speaking in the House of Assembly during the passage of the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Premier said the government is not receiving a fair return from the high levels of marine tourism activity in the territory.
“The government needs revenue. And of course, based on the product that we have here, based on the demand for that product, we don’t believe that we were seeing enough revenue from the industry,” the Premier said. “Therefore, we have proposed this increase in fees.”
The updated legislation, which amends a 1992 law, proposes higher fees for licensing commercial recreational vessels operating in the territory. According to the Premier, the changes follow extensive consultation with stakeholders in the marine industry.
“When you have an industry set up… we expect that industry will generate revenue for the government, because the government needs money to be able to build schools, to be able to improve our roads, to be able to improve our healthcare services, to be able to protect our beaches,” Wheatley stated.
He noted that the territory boasts “some of the best waters in the entire world,” and pointed to destinations such as Jost Van Dyke, Great Harbour, White Bay, and North Sound as continued major attractions for visitors.
“We want to ensure that our people are in a position to benefit from the industry,” he added.
Beyond revenue, the Premier also highlighted the broader economic potential of the marine sector, including opportunities in local employment, repairs, provisioning, and marine services. He referenced training initiatives such as the marine programme at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, which aim to equip locals for careers as captains, engineers, and shipmates.
“But we don’t have enough persons involved in that industry, which generates so much wealth for so many people from so many places around the world,” he argued.
The Premier also acknowledged concerns from local charter operators about the proposed fee increases. “We have heard your cries and we will certainly carefully consider the proposals that you have put forward in the committee stage,” he said.
The House of Assembly passed the bill with amendments late Tuesday, sending it forward for final approval.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Yeah! go right ahead and kill the goose that lays the golden egg
The same thig the enslaver would say to his slaves.
Right from the mind of the neo-colonialist.
And from the mentality that say Negroes must have nothing.
Too little revenue when you have to constantly come up with the cash to fund the greed bill obligation to pay to yourself and other members of the A$$C!0wn Brigade
Boss man’s pocket must be empty. Got to catch a little dollar here, there, and everywhere
Indeed every government needs money but few are as good as wasting it as they are here.
There’s a fine line between getting greedy and remaining profitable. Few people have bottomless pits of money, and definitely less so these days of world economic uncertainty. Vacations are a want not a need. That said, if BVIs is serious about generating more marine dollars, it would do well to get more locals into the business instead of doing the usual pass on need for extra to tourists. As it is these days, Americans are worried about ICE harassment upon return to the US, and Canadians won’t travel if it means setting foot on US soil.
He got it backwards. The job of companies is not to raise money for Government.
Government needs to be less involved. Less permits and paper.
Governments job is to make conditions right for business.
If it gets that right money will come to Government through. Taxes and economic activity.
Currently it is almost impossible to buy and sell houses. Beyond difficult to get Trad Licence. Near impossible to employ the right people for your company quickly and efficiently. Restrictions on investment seem intended to discourage investment and it is working. Tey to do anything, get permit for anything ther is nothing but obstruction.
Get the entrepreneurial environment right and allow people to sell their companis, houses and successes and the Government will reap the rewards.
P487 and his cronies taking us backwards so fast we will all soon be having to invest in donkeys.
You are the reason for little revenue and wasting what we do have.
is being sent by this article. The purpose of any government collecting fees from marine visitors is to use the money to maintain and improve the marine attractions in that country NOT pay for government salaries, schools, concerts, air travel, rent, etc.
The various marine attractions have degraded since the 60’s due to neglect by successive BVI governments. Other marine visitor destinations have greatly improved since the 60’s and that is where those tourists go now instead of the decaying BVI.
Keep pushing the industry to set up elsewhere. Perhaps then the Minister of Finance will have a better understanding of what it contributes to the economy.
The marine industry brings in LOADS of revenue for the BVI Government –
– tourist arrival tax
– tourist departure tax
– tourist cruising permits
– vessel registration fees
– Charter companies have payroll tax for all employees
– Charter companies pay their company annual fees
– Charter companies pay for work permits for a portion of their employees
The charter companies also feed, and make other businesses viable… ie:
– restaurants & bars
– watersports activity companies
– retail / gift shops
I am probably missing a few things. Just because business make money (purpose of having a business by the way) does not mean you should look at them and try to take their heard earned revenue just because you dont know how to manage your own pocketbook. Or the pocketbook of the people. Stop talking like a kingpin trying to do a shake down on your minions. The people are not here to serve you and your interests.
Seriously. Get a clue.
S!0wW@nde is terrible with math so I am not sure these points make any difference in his mind.
“voting has consequences”
The many comments here that take exception to the Premier’s remarks merely confirm how dangerous it is to elect or appoint an academic to any significant governmental position.
This post has absolutely no merit, totally clueless mentality. As an experienced charter Captain I see first hand how many people are employed in the marine industry and there are a lot who pay taxes, SSB and NHI which are Government last I heard. I see first hand how much money is spent here in the BVI by the charter boats and the people who charter the boats and it is a freakin HUGE amount $$$$. I am a member of a few charter boat owners chat groups and the general consensus is that the owners of the yachts do not make a profit, it only gives them a boat to use occassionally untill they decide to sell because it is not really a profit making venture as the operating costs are so high. Tack on higher fees and we will likely see more yachts pulling out of the BVI…
Isnt the cruise ship business part of the marine industry? Govt gets $15? From every passenger ? Doesnt that dwarf anything they get from the charter yacht industry?