Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UPDATE: Tourist group samples VI ‘Agri Tourism’ product

The first group of tourists that sampled the VI agriculture tourism product. Photo:VINO
Farmers on the Move President, Khoy Smith (at right in blue t-shirt) advises the group about elements of the tour. Photo:VINO
Farmers on the Move President, Khoy Smith (at right in blue t-shirt) advises the group about elements of the tour. Photo:VINO
A curious lamb that strayed from its flock to catch a glimpse of the touring party. Photo:VINO
A curious lamb that strayed from its flock to catch a glimpse of the touring party. Photo:VINO
Members of the group speaking with Julio 'Sam' Henry (foreground with sunglasses). Photo:VINO
Members of the group speaking with Julio 'Sam' Henry (foreground with sunglasses). Photo:VINO
Sam Henry has started an initiative called Agriculttural Tourism. Image:VINO/File
Sam Henry has started an initiative called Agriculttural Tourism. Image:VINO/File
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI – A small group of eleven persons were the first to experience the new brand of a Virgin Islands (VI) tourism initiative being pioneered by Virgin Islands resident Julio S. Henry.

The tour, which is being dubbed “Agriculture Tourism”, is coordinated by Mr. Henry and members of the Farmers on the Move group and got underway today December 27, 2012 at Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

The tour group comprised predominantly of family members from Oklahoma, United States of America who reportedly discovered the tour through the internet after searching for something different than the regular tours being promoted alongside the cruise that they had opted to take.

Guided by President of Farmers on the Move, Khoy Smith, the group was shown various aspects of the agricultural product of the Virgin Islands such as livestock, fruit and vegetable crops as well as elements of the fishing industry.

The group spent roughly one hour being shown areas of the plant nursery at Paraquita Bay, greenhouses, sheep and goats that roamed in the pasture and were offered samples of the different fruits grown in the area as well.

They were also given a brief insight of the culture and history that surrounds the VI agriculture sector and were shown some of the start-up and endings of agricultural produce such as the sorrel and passion fruit that go into the making of the popular juices in the local and overseas markets.

The tour is available exclusively through www.bvi360.com on the internet.

See previous story posted December 5, 2012:

Julio S. Henry pioneers bold ‘Agricultural Tourism’ initiative

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Commentator and taxi driver Julio S. Henry has embarked on a bold initiative for diversification in the local tourism market which he dubbed as Agricultural Tourism.

Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online Mr Henry explained that the initiative was targeted at both locals and foreigners but was particularly set up for overseas tourists.

He revealed that after doing an interview on his TV program, Speak Your Mind, with Farmers on the Move President Khoy Smith and member Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande, he made a pledge to embark on the endeavour. The entrepreneur explained that he felt that “those guys were doing something big”.

Convinced that the move would be a hit, he revealed that there have already been several bookings for the planned 3-hour long tours. The tours are being offered exclusively through www.bvi360.com for the moment. “It’s mostly catering to tourists because it’s a new adventure for a lot of them, a lot of these tourists don’t get close to animals, they don’t really go into farms and plough food and things like that,” Henry disclosed.

According to Mr Henry, he will be partnering with the Farmers on the Move agricultural group in the endeavour and related that Mr Smith would be handling the agricultural and educational sides of things for the most part. He also hopes to partner with persons dealing with iguanas so that this aspect could be included in the tour as well.

The guided tour is billed as servicing hotels, villas and cruise ship passengers and will accommodate approximately 18 persons per tour with the first batch booked for December 27, 2012. It will be centred on agriculture in the community of Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

One of the first things to be done on the tour, he explained, is an introduction to Lower Estate Sugar Works, petting farm animals at Paraquita Bay and an agricultural farm tour among other things. Local fishermen will also be included as the history and construction of the native fish trap plays a key role in the entire scheme.

The objective of the initiative is to prove that persons are seeking more diverse tourism products in the Territory as well as to bring further awareness to agriculture while working with Farmers on the Move in the process. Noting that it gives the group additional exposure he added, “… local people can see the significance and importance of food preservation, growing food on the island and being able to [practice self-sustenance] with some of the food products.”

Henry wanted locals to know that agriculture was alive and well, “not only locally should we be interested in it, but it’ll show that people are coming from across the world to take part in our agricultural tourism product,” he said. He further stated that he wanted to see more youths involved in agriculture. “Farming is a sustainable and reliable source of employment,” he related.

13 Responses to “UPDATE: Tourist group samples VI ‘Agri Tourism’ product ”

  • bay yute (05/12/2012, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ah trying hunnie...ah trying ah ting
  • yellow (05/12/2012, 08:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    good job sam keep on moving forward
  • DD (05/12/2012, 09:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very, Very Good Idea.
  • rat tail (05/12/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope I get a free tour Sam
  • great idea (05/12/2012, 18:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    i like the idea. tourists will enjoy that! and locals need the tour as well
  • ride (06/12/2012, 08:58) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    hmmm, wid dem bad roads dat deteriorate real bad dey tourist aint going enjoy dey tour boy ....
  • Nice (27/12/2012, 16:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I like this hope it grows into some great!!!!
  • ann (27/12/2012, 16:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    good job sam
  • Hope! (27/12/2012, 17:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I commend the tour operator and hope that the BVI will get behind this type of initiative. Excellent idea and execution of an idea if you ask me, this is what we need in the local tourism industry to add to our product by expanding through our natural attractions and way of life. THUMBS UP!
  • bigger picture (27/12/2012, 19:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you want tourists to understand culture and heritage, they need to be exposed to it. congratulations on such a wonderful idea! As they said, they did not want to go on the tours organized by the ships. This is part of the exploration people like to do. that includes long bay beef island. they don't need anything fancy.
  • October man (28/12/2012, 07:42) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    Why does SAM have to blah blah blah when he should be just driving the visitors???
    • dog (28/12/2012, 12:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      it's called promotion and education for those who don't know. What if agriculture tourism takes off and everyone involved makes money? make money, stay natural and respect the land and have more tourists come because it is unusual to see... then would you need a 5-star hotel?


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.