Walwyn concerned over government’s tourism plan
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn was displeased by the government’s marketing plan for the territory when it was presented in the House of Assembly (HOA) recently.
Walwyn asked Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley to provide lawmakers in the HOA with a copy of the territory’s tourism plan for the 2023-2024 tourist season.
Among other things, Walwyn said the Premier should specifically provide the full details of the marketing plan and how much has been or would be provided to execute the marketing plan.
But when a copy of the plan finally got to the Sixth District Representative, he appeared bewildered.
“Premier, [you] should know that this is not what I’m asking for. This is a marketing plan for the Tourist Board. I asked for a tourism plan, meaning a tourism development plan. The same plan that you were talking about that the former Premier had given the marching orders to the then Junior Minister for Tourism, now Minister of Education,” Walwyn explained.
He continued: “Premier, I’ve been in tourism when you were in school. Don’t send me this and tell me it’s a tourism plan. That’s a marketing plan, a little snippet of what a tourism development plan should be like. If you don’t have one, just tell me you don’t have one and let’s move on. But to send me this tourism plan from 2022 to 2025, I mean it’s an insult to my intelligence. Just tell me you don’t have one.”
Premier Wheatley, while reading out Walwyn’s initial question, countered that Walwyn got exactly what he asked for based on his question.
However, Premier Wheatley also explained that he previously gave details to another lawmaker about the government’s efforts at developing a tourism plan and dates when this is expected to be done.
In the meantime, the Premier explained that the Tourist Board launched an ambitious marketing strategic plan for 2022-2025, focusing on enhancing North American market engagement through trade shows, satellite offices, and influencer partnerships, with a significant budget allocation of $10.25 million for 2024.
He further explained that the plan includes hosting major events and festivals to boost tourism and collaborating with the immigration department for better data-driven marketing strategies.
Additionally, Premier Wheatley disclosed that the board is setting up its permanent office, ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the tendering process for its establishment.
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This is so exhausting!
Money spent influencing 2 members of the jury in Miami .
It is becoming clear that Hon Walwyn is tryng to upstage and embarrass the Hon Premier (apparently not too dificult) but this is not a stage and the member for the 6th should “stop playing to the gallery” and start providing constructive criticism in order to benefit the people of this Territory.
This appears to be question and answers segment. I don’t see how Hon. walwyn could be accused of upstaging anyone. If a question is asked the Premier should answer the question. It’s simple. You should be concerned that you have a Premier who is ill prepared and doesn’t seem to know anything about the subjects that he is responsible for. We are always worried about the wrong things in the BVI.
Hon Walwyn……..
pepper he a$$. He campaign and made promises to be in that seat after the accident by the former premier.
Pepper them. Friendly politics is what has us where we are also.
It is becoming clear that Natalio is unfit to lead.
NO PLAN AT ALL
I want to know if Myron have a plan?
Myron said he been in Tourism when the Premier been in school. You should be a shamed of your self to have him come from school and out do you to become Premier.
He was never arrested and charged unlike you and others so try keep quiet with your grand stand for tourism plan.
You should be ashamed to go that level. Anyone could be arrested and charged for anything including you. A person is innocent until proven guilty. Grow some brains and maturity.
Here is the problem. We have a set of weak and insecure leaders, so if an idea comes from people on the ground, they seem to think that accepting that idea and putting it to work will make them look small or useless.. We are playing with our tourism product ‘Go with the wind approach’. At Pier Park Taxi loading base, its daily confusion you don’t know who is in charge..Is it Pier Park, or is it Port, You Have a good gate man doing his Job, and when certain taxi men cannot get their way they make a phone call, next day that gate man gone transfer, move out. Just for doing his Job. “,So, Until there is an official hand book out laying operational procedures, explaining expectations, responsibilities, authorities and punishment’. Things will remain bad and will not get any better, it will get worst”..Sorry to say, This my solution.
Bring a plan to the people Walwyn. We’ll debate it and if it’s good the government will have to accept it.
Where there is no vision, the people perish:
All mywrong does is make noise while offering no solution. mek the dog sick