U-turn! Airport expansion needed now to boost tourism- Hon Fahie
Speaking at the Territorial Day celebrations on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town, Hon Fahie said experts in tourism have said if the VI wishes to grow the visitors business, the Government needs to undertake the multi-million dollar project.
“The ‘wise’ among us believe that now is not the right time; that we cannot afford to get this done. But they are wrong! The truth is that we cannot afford NOT to. But how are we going to do it? The same way our forefathers built the strong foundation of these beautiful Virgin Islands; for the people, by the people, with the people,” explained Hon Fahie, who had argued vigorously against monies being included in the 2017 Budget for the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport.
He added that Government must answer to the opportunities that are presenting themselves, otherwise the people of the Territory will suffer.
Prior to the National Democratic Party (NDP) government being divided over the plans for the project, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Minister of Finance, announced that China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) was the preferred bidder. Since being chosen, CCCC had promised to extend the runway for $153.4 million.
However, the Minister of Finance has missed a March 2017 deadline for the signing of a contract with CCCC to get the project started.
Unprecedented challenges; Airport project needed now
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader during his remarks, explained that in order to boost the territory’s tourism industry, the runway project needs to be improved immediately, especially now that the financial services are facing tough times:
“Hotels and resorts are experiencing unprecedented challenges in getting the heads in the beds. We need money in the Treasury. We need to pay for government operations and we need to address - in a credible way - our airlift situation in-order to keep our tourism industry afloat.”
He continued, “We also know that if we do nothing, we risk losing those jobs, destroying the livelihood of our people and seriously undermining the BVI economy. We also run the risk of seeing significant decrease in revenue in the public coffers.”
Hon Fahie pleaded to the government to make every effort to protect the VI tourism product, if they wish to see the Territory grow and progress for the future.
Currently, the multi-million dollar airport project seems to have been put on hold.
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24 Responses to “U-turn! Airport expansion needed now to boost tourism- Hon Fahie”
(too much taxes, NHI workpermits fees increase on everything) on because you did not realize it was you .. that you voted against.
This is what is so wrong and they think thinking people can't see right through this. Schups!
And with that it involved more crimes
And the funny this is, some of the same people who have the most to say has all these major projects already completed and in place back in their own country, its sickening sometimes.
Despite the proclamation about the economy being robust, it is not; the BVI economy has hit some turbulence. As such, can the BVI afford $153M at this point? The BVI has a notorious reputation for project cost over runs so it would not be a shock if the project's budget is busted. Are there more economical modes of transportation for getting visitors to the BVI? Will modernizing the ferry system be a more economical alternative? Routing passengers through St. Thomas is a win-win for both BVI-USVI. Could the BVI benchmark what Anguilla does with St Martin. Passengers fly in to Princess Juliana Airport and then are ferried over to St. Martin. Moreover, should not the $7.3M BVI Airways give away be given a chance? New York and New Jersey share a port authority so why can USVI and BVI partner to market their tourism product?