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HoA passes $10 Environmental Tax for visitors to VI

A view of Cane Garden Bay beach from Stoutt's Look Out: Visitors and tourists to the Virgin Islands will now have to pay an Environmental Tax of $10.00. Photo: VINO/File
The Bill for the introduction of an Environmental Tax for visitors and tourists to the Virgin Islands was piloted by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7). Photo: VINO/File
The Bill for the introduction of an Environmental Tax for visitors and tourists to the Virgin Islands was piloted by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Last week legislators passed another tax bill, this time aimed at visitors and tourists to the Virgin Islands (UK).

The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has now imposed a $10.00 levy intended to protect the environment.

The new tax will apply to visitors entering the Virgin Islands (VI) by air or sea; however, it has a big exemption clause.

Part of the loop hole of the bill will see the exemption of this tax for some judicial officials, diplomats, and persons invited to the Territory by Government.

The new tax is to be included in the tickets of persons coming in to the territory via boats and planes. The Bill was piloted by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7). In his presentation on April 18, 2017 to the House of Assembly, Hon Pickering said this is a small part to help preserve the “beautiful environment they get to visit.”

The tax is also to go towards the Government’s efforts against the effects of Climate Change. It is unclear if research was done to see the effect of this new tax on visitors to the British Overseas Territory.

The financial situation of the VI remains unclear, with many saying the country is broke. The Opposition Virgin Islands Party has cautioned the government about taxing its way out of debt.

41 Responses to “HoA passes $10 Environmental Tax for visitors to VI”

  • Go Ahead (25/04/2017, 10:53) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS
  • way to go NDP (25/04/2017, 10:55) Like (42) Dislike (1) Reply
    The cruise-ship passengers who messing up the beaches are exempted and we the over-nighters have to pay for that
  • usa (25/04/2017, 11:01) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another new tax? Dread
  • NDP SUCKS (25/04/2017, 11:08) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    FREE PASS FOR CHINESE AND RICH FRIENDS WHILES THE POOR SUFFER.
  • AOC (25/04/2017, 11:08) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    More taxes on visitors. Nice! Keep on biting the the very hands that feed you. Departure tax - now environmental tax? C'mon Dr. give it a break.
    • dog (26/04/2017, 22:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Guaranteed this money will not get to where it is intended. And if the Gov is so concerned about the environment, how about enforcing the laws disrupting mangroves, or punishing those who don't get EIA when developing, or those businessmen who pump land up without permits. Most of the violators tend to be well-connected and the tourists who save for years pay the cost.
      If I am going to be FORCED to "contribute" to environmental protection, I want my money to GO TO environmental protection in which this government is woefully lacking- and not to some new hotel for tourism. This new bill is too broad and lacks definition and is ripe for poaching. AND you run the risk of alienating visitors by nickel- and diming. Get an independent accountant to oversee this if you have to.
  • Law Abiding citizen (25/04/2017, 11:19) Like (26) Dislike (5) Reply
    There goes tourism.
  • lord o. (25/04/2017, 11:26) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    I truly hope when the next party wins the next election they understand why they win and what they need to do and correct all the bad decisions. Don't be like VIP. In 2011 win they won. Kept things the same..as NDP had it. Didn't understand people voted for change in every way...
  • cay (25/04/2017, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well sah poor people suck salt again
  • Mashed (25/04/2017, 12:15) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Agreed, VIP have to undo all this nonsense after the election in August and at the same time do some pretty big investigations into the financial mess and make the culprits do time at Balsham.
    • wize up (25/04/2017, 21:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Mashed: good idea but in BVI only people sent to jail are the ones with a handful of weed while the white collar criminals sues the government
  • TAXINHEAVENTOO (25/04/2017, 12:26) Like (15) Dislike (23) Reply
    Tax them skin, yes. What's wrong with helping keep the place clean. The cruise passengers paid already. You pay more in taxes elsewhere, but we can't impose a small fee?
    • Clean?? (25/04/2017, 19:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      This island is infested by trash spewing pigs. How folks can enjoy living in all the filth? Gov't needs to admit, country broke, financial services going belly up, tourism is all that is left, for now,but that going to be taxed away too.
  • W*F (25/04/2017, 13:41) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why don't the Cuban give back what he mishandled, instead of taxing people to death. All tourists have to do is go elsewhere. And trust me, there are many destinations clamoring for tourism dollars. These criminals here done empty the Treasury, now they manhandling people to fill it back. I have not in my wildest dream, thought that the supposedly educated, decent individuals that I voted for, could be so devious and dishonest. I can't wait to see their backs.
  • ? (25/04/2017, 14:21) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another EXPAT TAX. How about raising the House Tax.......oh no silly me, must not tax the voters.
  • @ way to go (25/04/2017, 14:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    They're not exempted, they already pay a $15 head tax for coming in just for a few hours.
  • soooo (25/04/2017, 14:24) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    if i book online who or what will know i am not a visitor???????????
  • tola (25/04/2017, 14:29) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Welsah lol this is jokes to me I never hear this in any other county poof we only the poor will feel it
  • Curious (25/04/2017, 15:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this tax is included in your ticket purchase how will the exemption apply. Many locals have status but use more than one passport based on where they are travelling. If I am travelling back to the BVI from the USA or UK how will I be exempted from paying the environmental fee if I purchase my ticket online. Also would expats on work permit travelling back to the BVI be exempted in the same manner as we would all not classify as a visitor.

    This is going to be interesting as many persons purchase their tickets online and travel on another passport beside their BVI passport and some locals do not even have a BVI passport.

  • pat (25/04/2017, 15:29) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    After they broke the country they want to tax us to desth
  • @ curious (25/04/2017, 17:35) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply

    If you're on a permit then you are a Resident and as such would be exempted. Your other points stand as well but as usual these smart a$$*s who sit around tables chatting sh*t all day never take their time to think things through. This Minister in particular, new Labour Code, half of it not enforced because it wasn't well thought out. New Permit Fees, nonsense! New environmental tax, heart may be in the right place but collecting it will be one big clusterf**k! Airport expansion, need I say more? Agriculture? Speechless! How long? Not long!

    • Sherry (26/04/2017, 22:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      how about an expat property owner for 45 yrs? Some long-timers have done more for the environment than any belonger- recycle, careful of water, plant trees, pick up trash, etc. This is misguided and the money will not go anywhere. Just look at the violations right now- laws not being enforced.
  • seeing (25/04/2017, 18:41) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    not one freaking dime will go to the environment not one dime .This money will go to pay for the corruption and pocketfilling of the last two terms . We are being taken for ignorant lemmings one more time . just like the big deal of a wall in CGB . One day after all the handshakes and bullcrap about the rising sea destroying the wall .... not ONE bit of work has been done on this 500000 dollar project . just pathetic and now more money to pay for more nonsense . Tourists will reach a breaking point soon I fear
  • Screw Ewe (25/04/2017, 18:56) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Environmental? This from a government that burns garbage, let's raw sweage run not only in the street but into the sea, garbage EVERYWHERE, diesel power generators?? And you EXEMPT the filthy cruise ship passengers. It's not the $10, it is the LYING. This money will disappear into someones pocket. Overnight visitors being taken advantage of once again. It is going to bite theBVI in the arse.
  • Me (25/04/2017, 20:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is this going to work? How will the online booking know whether I am a resident by virtue of a work permit when I do not have a BVI passport???? Can someone explain how this will work??
  • hey doc (25/04/2017, 20:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    dont forget taxing da air we breathe.
  • BLACK BOATER USA (25/04/2017, 22:47) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unfortunately 2017 will be our last visit to the BVI. It's been fun and enjoyable the last 10 years, the islanders always treated us well and looked out for us. This will for sure hurt the island yacht charter business. Trust me, it's not the $10.00 it's the principle of being nickeled and dimed to death.
  • Rebel (26/04/2017, 00:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    NOW THE GOVERNMENT DONE SCREW UP THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND UP TO NOW NONE OF THEM ARE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT, SO NOW THEY USING A METHOD OF WICKEDNESS TALKING TO HELP WITH ENVIROMENT WHICH IS A DAM LIE. YOU TAXING TO COME AND TO LEAVE, THE GOVERNMENT ARE CRIMINALS IN SUITS, STEALING FROM THE POOR AND YET ON SUNDAYS TRYING TO COVER UP THEMSELVES IN CHURCHES
  • wize up (26/04/2017, 06:08) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    all over the world filled with tax: some of us wants the working class in this BVI who makes minimum wages to continue paying for the tourist: tax the hell out of our people while other come to our country and have fun at our experience: when some of us travel outside BVI we have to pay tax...if we worried about the ten dollar tax then we probably attracting the lower end of tourist; some cruises ship passengers are some the brokest travellers in the world: develope facilities for mega boats: private jets and higher end visitors(the tax paying residents of this place should have to pay for the fun of others)
  • A (27/04/2017, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so now other people must pay for the damage the country has caused on themselves, allowing ships to dump sewage in our waters, cutting down the mangroves and plating back new ones. really rewind and come again.


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