Tourism plan to get going before year-end — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has committed to launching a comprehensive tourism strategy for the BVI by the end of the year.
The announcement was made during a press conference where Wheatley addressed various national issues.
The tourism plan will outline key strategies for boosting the BVI’s economy through sustainable tourism initiatives, highlighting the archipelago’s unique cultural and environmental assets.
“Our natural environment is linked to our heritage as a people and is the foundation of our fragile economies. As small islands with large ocean spaces, we are responsible for ensuring that our island seas and species are respected for their intrinsic value and their essential services,” Dr Wheatley emphasised.
The Premier’s commitment comes amid criticism, notably from Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn, who has expressed concerns about the delays in introducing a solid tourism strategy. Opposition critics have repeatedly lambasted the government for the direction of the tourism industry, arguing, among other things, that the territory’s less-than-stellar infrastructure and limited visitor attractions have negatively affected the sector.
In response to these criticisms, Premier Wheatley mentioned that developing the tourism plan involves consultations with major stakeholders, including the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
Tourism is not rocket science
Late last year, Premier Wheatley said tourism is not rocket science and argued that officials do not need to work hard to attract visitors to the territory because the Virgin Islands is beautiful.
Earlier this year, the government moved to end a nearly $2 million contract for a tourism plan signed with the New York-based public relations agency 5W PR to formulate the plan.
“We decided when I became Minister of Tourism… not to follow through with that particular company. So, we were in talks with the company about bringing that situation to an amicable close,” Wheatley said at the time.
The Premier previously brushed off criticisms from Opposition legislators that his government has been moving full-speed ahead without a plan to effect changes in the tourism sector and contended that the government simply needs to provide access to the territory.
“We speak about a plan – and we’re going to develop a plan, we will. But I don’t want anybody to think that this thing is rocket science,” the Premier said late last year. “It’s not rocket science. The Virgin Islands is a beautiful place that people want to come to.”
Tourism is crucial to the BVI’s economy. It draws visitors with its renowned sailing events, scenic beauty, and vibrant cultural festivals like the annual emancipation festival. The plan will leverage these elements to enhance the islands’ appeal as a prime Caribbean destination.
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Why not now? Everything should be in place for the upcoming 24/25 season. Why year’s end?
This cl**n and his Tourist Board Chair are a set of fools.
People, we must get together, we must make a change, or we as a people are set back years by these set of moomoos!
AND UP TO NOW WE CANT GET A PLAN FROM THIS GOVERNMENT
You are absolutely correct, it is NOT Rocket Science yet your govt and the so-called Tourist Board still cant get it right. Customer Service (from immigration to local establishments), Fix the ROADS, faster connectivity, authentic crafts, boost of local entertainers and talents, pushing the sailing and luxury yacht industry, marketing at cost effective levels….to name a FEW! stop talking and put things into action…ask for help if you need help man..ayo does mek me sick!
Look at how grown folks ( Government) just sitting and letting this m**moo do and say as he pleased. Don’t they have common sense to speak up and tell him to stop talking crap and get serious about doing what is best for the people and territory. He may have placed them in Ministerial positions, but it is the People put them in power. How long are they going to let this boy ruin the Territory. All
Whaaaat? The VI does not already have a tourism plan????? What foolishness is this? Country is being run and held hostage by a bunch of idiots.
The government should undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for the hospitality industry in the BVI that will be assessable to potential investors.
Their only plan is to announce they are planning a plan. I see no intent to actually produce a plan.
The tourism plan and the incinerator seem like they in the same boat of never gonna reach.
Since these folks don’t seem good with numbers, let me help. Close the overseas offices and bring those staff home. You will save plenty on office expenses and expat living packages. Everything happens on the Internet, and having people based outside the BVI wastes money.
Examine the cost/benefit of each project. The spring music fest can be example numero uno of events for which there is no return on investment. Segment events as to target market: the 70th festival will bring overseas BVIlanders home, but will have little appeal to tourists. It seems unlikely that 50k on a fishing tourney will return that much. Probably better to support the sport fishing fleet to bring in people year-round.
Examine each position at the TB and eliminate unnecessary ones. Invest in younger people with social media skills.
The plan is a secret. Andrew Fahie said so. To maintain our strategic advantage.
Tourist plan kicks in mid season, our potential clients for 24 / 25 have been, are presently on or already booked for competitors destinations . Maybe we should promote BVI donkey rides on the beach using the tourist board members as our beast of burdens? If
This is a joke. The BVI needs to hire real people to execute a real tourism plan. This amateur hour stuff is pathetic.
A US Ad Agency could spit this out in a weekend and then come up with full advertising plans for you.
We all work in tourism in some capacity. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
You sound like a little kid telling the teacher that your cat ate your homework.
They have several marketing, public relations and advertising agencies on contract that can assist with the data and forecasting needed to help put a strategic plan in place. But do not disregard the local qualified experienced people we have here!
The government is doing what the devil world stage script says. The digital system is the beast system. The substantial climate change system is the New World order beast system. It’s called China’s basic incomes beast control system. You will get an allowance on your digital id. Do you not hear AI and digital alot on the radio and tv. I hear new world order so much now so they are clearly getting you familiarise with it coming. The scripted Bible warned you about the place going in darkness for days to activate the new beast system. The bank system has already crashed. Check out the countries that the banks locked them out their account till they get the digital id which is COVID which stand for Certification Of Vaccination ID. Stay with lack of knowledge. The devil will never tell you straight his plans but he does tell you in movies,rappers,reggae artist, radio and definitely the church/ Vatican which they believe in raping kids and the gay Agenda. I will continue to use all my brains not the 20% study says the human uses. They can only say that about you and because you only repeat what they teach you,you never annalize anything
I bet when they do come with a plan it gonna be a bag of F**k… like when they had come with the renting land in Guyana to farm on idea.
This shows hire inco*****ant this Sowande is! A strategic tourism plan is usually 5-10 years in advance! The fact that he thinks this is not rocket science shows his i****ance and his lack of value for the actual real tourism industry. He thinks tourism just magically happens! People have given their lives to learn and understand this science. Many go to school to learn this science. But this clown thinks it is hohum and not an actual science and process and strategy that has to be put in place. He just insulted every single tourism practitioner with his comments. And he is supposedly the minister Of tourism. What a shame! He needs to be removed.
Let’s just attract more cruise ships and dress up all the “natives” to entertain the trailer park crowd. Maybe tourists will throw a few coins to the dancing natives. We can even showcase beach front arguments and fights among the chair renters. So many things to exploit in the name of tourism.