USVI benefiting as BVI drops the ball with tourism — Walwyn
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn said he has noticed that the USVI Governor endorsed the VIP Party during the recent general election, even as his country continues to crush the BVI with better tourism outcomes.
Walwyn said he understands why the neighbouring Governor is happy with the VIP administration, as the BVI’s poor performance in tourism is giving the USVI an upper hand in that industry.
“The Governor for the USVI came up here during the election to endorse a party and I understand why he did it; because if the party remains in power and they continue to drop the ball on tourism, then his numbers will continue to grow. It was a stroke of genius when he came! They (the USVI) are benefitting from what we are dropping the ball at!” Walwyn posited.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on December 18, Walwyn cited a media report that said the USVI had the highest level of hotel occupancy in the Caribbean from June 2021 to mid-2022, while the BVI continues to see declines in stop-over visitors.
He also referred to a local fiscal report which said that the BVI may be seeing declining numbers of stop-over tourists because of competition from other destinations and the difficulty travelers experience when trying to get to the territory. But he said the BVI refuses to make the relevant investments to make that industry more competitive.
“One way to grow your tourism industry is through new hotel developments. We have no new hotel developments on the horizon. None! We continue to speak about Prospect Reef — in the budget speech last year they mentioned Prospect Reef, in the one this year they mentioned it. But if you drive by Prospect Reef, there’s nothing but bush. You can’t even see the building anymore,” Walwyn said.
Walwyn also pointed out numerous developments that are currently underway in Anguilla, USVI, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda. But when he comes to the BVI, he said nothing is happening.
“Absolutely nothing! But when the Premier gave his budget address he was talking about projects that were under construction when he came in and he claimed them as his,” Walwyn said.
The Dr Natalio Wheatley administration has come under fire from residents and Opposition members for the state of the economy even though the Premier said the state of the economy was inherited from previous administrations as well as the number of disasters the BVI has suffered in recent years.
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And our i**ot premier went and make it even easier for them to compete with us after governor Bryan come over here and strong arm him like a lil child.
Myron forgot to inform of the Bryant requesting a loan to pay their bills in the USVI including to pay salaries. The BVI is not in that state so he could at least talk that.
Requesting a line of credit means that the country have the sh8t to back up what they’re requesting. It means they are credit worthy. It does not mean they are broke. A lawsuit had been filed against them so maybe they want to keep their revenues safe in reserves for a rainy day while using credited funds that are cheaper to pay off periodically. I could be wrong and you could be right.
While the rest of the world is making things easier the BVI continues to make things as difficult as possible.
Myron is a chump. But the story is correct- we don’t make the relevant investments un the tourism industry. Govt does make a big deal about the less @$$ cruise ships we get, but they contribute very little to the economy. All I can say is thank the lord for the yacht industry.
While we need to focus on more land-based tourism, to say that cruise does not contribute to the economy is very short-sighted and plain out dumb. Try to refresh your memory to COVID when the ships weren’t coming, I’m sure it wasn’t just a few taxi men that felt that. The quality cruise ships bring economic benefits to the BVI both to the Government (BVIPA) and private businesses. You should do some research before spouting foolishness.
Stop-over visitors couldn’t possibly be staying away because the place looks trashy and is overrun with cruise shippers.
Some of the ferries are very old and nee3d to be replaced. Ridiculous amount of fees and taxes for tourists. It costs over $200 to come to BVI from USVI. Then you have the high costs of food and other items.
Why does it cost double to come to the BVI by air as it does to the USVI. And then you ask why tourism is going down. If you fly to the BVI with a private plane another $1500 is added to the bill
Facts!! Its ridiculous these ferry ticket prices. COVID has long since been forgotten and done, yet everything that was changed in COVID time still remains the same. From $55 to $100 for a round trip ticket from STT/BVI is just still too high on top of all the additional fees. That price should have been reduced already.
USVI subsidizes their ferry companies. Why can’y the BVI do the same?…oh wait
On top of the ridiculous ticket price, why is the price of a carry on bag the same as a large bag?
Tickets are high because the BVI is considered international travel. As for the ferry prices, I think that’s because the ferries have to make up for the high fuel prices. Other charges are ridiculous I agree.
you are trying to cause a division within the Virgin Islands (USVI and BVI). Lessen the ferry fees and tax and persons will surely be able to travel to the BVI. Fees, shopping, and whatever else are extremely expensive and you want us to come? from $50.00 round trip to near $200.00 see the difference?
Fix it and watch tourism boost!
The USVI is “winning” because the BVI locked their doors and kept tourists out for a year, the USVI did not lock visitors out.
Stop all the extra taxes/ fees on tourist , clean up the place and get an attitude adjustment!
We don’t want more hotels which would mean having to find workers from somewhere and more stress on poor infrastructure. With the increase in population possibly more social ills than we are able to deal with. Build a better product for the people who reside in the BVI already. They should get more for their tax dollars. Money should be spent to prevent crime, for sidewalks, roads, electronic pedestrian crosswalks, electricity, water, community centers with social programs, programs for the youth, faster banking services (who needs to stand in long lines for over an hour to do a banking transaction). The people want an attractive livable island not more hotels and tourists. We never aspired to be another St Thomas. With the cruise ships currently coming in to port spewing pollutants in the air, with time all the people will gain are breathing problems.
We napping and Byron sluxing dong our Tourism dollars
The ferry fees went up because of covid, the argument was because of social distancing the boat can only carry so much people so the fee have to go up. Covid gone so long now and we still paying a fortune to go St Thomas. Fix that!
Hearing the premier talk you will think we are at tge top of the line with economic growth. Talk and no action
Poorer Caribbean countries are upscaling their hotel capacity. Shame on oir leaders You wonder if they travel when the see how nasty and unkept Road Town looke . Dont talk about tge porholes in the road
Not Myron alone knows this, even I am seeing it. Ever since this Premier took Office, The USVI has been running full STEAM ahead. Ask Hon. DeCastro if you think ah Lie. BVI is a Big Joke to USVI. Bryon is sympathizing with his Friends in BVI while smiling under his Shirt Sleeve. Bryon is Wuking Baby!!!!
As a USVI/BVI bareboat traveler for over 20 years (last was 2019), I can honestly say the place has changed dramatically. I can look past the physical stuff…derelict boats, horrible roads, no infrastructure….but I can’t look past the unbelievable racism towards tourists.
The hurricane changed everything for Tola and VG…..went from our favorite place on earth to a place I will not go. JVD and Cooper still have some locals that aren’t outright rude to guests.
The USVI would always better us in tourism
1. US citizens don’t need a passport to visit
2. They have better infrastructure( roads, water etc.)
3. They have an international airport capable of accepting large airlines
4. They have bigger hotels
5. They have less of this born here mentality
6. They have a bigger budget for tourism marketing
7. They have more attractions for visitors ( notice I didn’t say better we have The Barths)
Who is the minister for tourism? Does hi have any experience in tourism? Who is the chairwoman does she have any real experience in tourism? Who running Toursim board? We all know he is a j+*e and waste of space. Then we wonder why tourism failing? Jeez!
THE BVI & USVI are one family. Two persons can eat. Why say one person alone eating. Fix your own plate of food instead of watching another person’s plate. We need to look in, instead of looking out! We need to fix a lot of issues instead of complaining that they eating our food. Poor stupidness. Ferry costs are TOO high. People cant afford to travel as often with those costs.
Usvi and BVI fam yes but educated and at totally different..Tortola act miserable, ignorant if you know