VI’s tourism sector “under stress” – Victor Johnson
"Tourism has been a critical ingredient, and tourism is under major stress, I can’t under estimate the importance of the runway extension, because without it, tourism will die in the BVI. This is the right kind of change, it’s a long enough change that will allow small jets access but not long enough to change the character of the country," Johnson told Virgin Islands News Online while attending a handing over ceremony where his company donated computers and $10,000 to the St. Mary's School, yesterday May 2, 2012, in Virgin Gorda.
The businessman commends the Territory for its "move forward" with the airport expansion, and said with any kind of changes being done, the preservation of the VI's natural resources and beauty is very critical for tourism.
Johnson, who is the developer of Oil Nut Bay in Virgin Gorda, stated that everybody that touches tourism in the Virgin Islands has to be the friendliest and the best, because that affects the VI and the businesses in the VI on a whole.
"From the minute they get off the air plane, somebody travels 20 hours and goes into immigration, immigration is a critical partner with us in ensuring that these people stay happy, otherwise it affects us. Every single person that touches that tourist is an element of the important process, because we are competing against St. Barts and Anguilla etc, and we should be able to be on top."
In commenting on the VI’s economy, he said that the VI is a boutique economy, and financial services are a key element but there are challenges all the time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson informed this news site that his development at Oil Nut Bay is going very well, "It’s been a complex journey through the world most economic times but when I met with Premier Smith a long time ago and continue to work with Ralph O’Neal , they brought to life all of our elements to make Oil Nut Bay great."
He said they have been through some challenging times and are now taking it to the next level.
"The opening of the Oil Nut Bay Beach and Yacht Club are really the key things that people are waiting to see, because so many other developments have failed throughout the Caribbean and because we don’t have debt, that has been a critical component."
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