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Press Release From Independent Source

Virgin Islands Premier announces plans to re-energise tourism

- With a renewed focus on the UK as a primary market
Premier and Minister of Tourism, Dr. the Hon D. Orlando Smith, OBE and Lorna Smith, OBE together with Russell Harrigan, Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board, newly appointed BVI London Office Manager, Ginny Hawksley and Myrvina Jeria from the BVI London office are pictured with Joyce Kinniburgh from BVI Holidays and Joanne Ellis from Caribtours at a reception held at BVI House on 31st May 2012, where the Premier announced plans to re-energise tourism in the Islands.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - British Virgin Islands Premier announces plans to re-energise tourism with a renewed focus on the UK as a primary market.

Speaking at a trade reception held at BVI House yesterday, the Premier and Minster for Tourism for the British Virgin Islands Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE announced plans to re-energise and reposition tourism in the Islands together with a renewed focus on the United Kingdom (UK) as a primary market with the appointment of a BVI Tourist Board Manager in the UK.

Since taking office in November 2011, Premier Smith’s Government has embarked on a vigorous re-positioning strategy to strengthen the British Virgin Islands tourism product. With tourism being the largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product of the Territory, the Premier announced that the focus will be on improving long term air access, growing the Superyacht sector, further developing the destination’s wedding and honeymoon business and strengthening the cruise tourism sector.

Commenting on air access to the Territory, Premier Smith said, “Air access is the number one strategic challenge facing tourism in the British Virgin Islands. To address this issue in the long term, we have taken the decision to extend the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International airport to accommodate direct air access from North America.

In addition, we are in consultations with local, regional and international carriers to ensure that visitors have direct access to the Territory for the winter season

this year and beyond.

“We also recognise that another challenge we face is that of getting people from Antigua to the BVI, connecting via British Airways and Virgin. Our goal is to reduce the lay over time it takes to get to the BVI by this winter and we are in discussions with LIAT and other carriers who are looking at servicing this route.”

Premier Smith also outlined plans to target growth in the Superyacht sector with a focus on encouraging the development of the required infrastructure and further supporting events such as the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous.

As part of this focus, just two weeks ago the government declared Gun Creek in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda an official port of entry, meaning Superyachts and other vessels can proceed directly to cruising grounds around the North Sound rather than having to clear in Spanish Town or Road Town.

As a third initiative to re-energise tourism, Premier Smith revealed a new policy to promote the British Virgin Islands as an attractive location for the weddings and honeymoons market by amending the Territory’s Marriage Act to reduce the residence requirement for marriages from a three day processing period to a one day requirement. This move will further develop the Territory’s destination wedding potential and allow the BVI a competitive advantage in this lucrative global market.

The Premier also took the opportunity to outline the Government’s initiative to re-vitalise Cruise tourism in the Islands. “We are currently in discussions with two cruise lines, entertaining proposals for the expansion and upgrade of the cruise pier and the development of shore side facilities in the immediate area of the cruise pier, and also at upgrading the territory’s overall cruise experience”, said Premier Smith. “This will include the upgrade of dedicated beach facilities for the sector with our objective to develop a more year-round cruise tourism sub sector.”

Turning his attention to the Government’s plans to focus on the UK as a primary market, the Premier announced the appointment of Ginny Hawksley to the role of BVI Tourist Board Manager in the UK with effect from 01 June 2012. Having lived in the BVI for 14 years where she worked with a passion driving international travellers in to the territory,

Ginny will be instrumental in driving trade initiatives to put the British back in to the British Virgin Islands.

Commenting on Ginny’s appointment, Premier Smith said, “It is true to say that when it comes to supporting the UK travel industry we have rested on our laurels somewhat, but we are about to change that. Ginny’s 20 year relationship with the UK travel trade and her genuine love and knowledge of our islands, made her our ideal choice.”

In her new role, Ginny will be focusing on a number of areas to work more closely with the UK travel trade including joint marketing and promotions, dedicated training and regular communications. In addition a series of educational trips will be confirmed to the well known luxury properties as well as to the lesser known villas and The Jewels of the BVI, which make the BVI accessible not just to the high end luxury market; and a travel agent incentive programme will be announced in December.

In closing his address, the Premier said, “I wish to assure you that as Premier and Minister of Tourism my government will give our full support to the BVI Tourist Board and our team here in London as they work to rebuild the BVI’s market share from the UK over the coming years.”

1 Response to “Virgin Islands Premier announces plans to re-energise tourism”

  • The Watcher (02/06/2012, 17:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You people know absolutely nothing about Tourism. Before you can energize tourism you need to fix the tourism product. For example: fix the sewage problem, noise pollution, garbage pollution, rising crime rate, national campaign to educate and train All citizens in the importance of tourism and how to treat visitors etc


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