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YCCS closure 'a failing' of VI economy - Hon Julian Fraser RA

- said government is keeping the people in the dark about what's going on in the territory
Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) believes the news of the closure of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) from June 1, 2016 represents 'a failing of the Virgin Islands economy.' Photo: VINO/Internet Source
While Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the displaced workers from Biras Creek Resort and Rosewood Little Dix Bay will be helped to seek alternative employment, there had been no announcement of steps, if any, to bring relief to the some 25 YCCS workers. Photo: VINO/File
While Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the displaced workers from Biras Creek Resort and Rosewood Little Dix Bay will be helped to seek alternative employment, there had been no announcement of steps, if any, to bring relief to the some 25 YCCS workers. Photo: VINO/File
News of the impending closure of YCCS shocked the territory this past weekend as the sister island of Virgin Gorda is already reeling from the news of 75 jobs lost as a result of the closure of Biras Creek Resort and more than 320 jobs lost as a result of the closure for 18 months for renovation of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort from this month. Photo: File
News of the impending closure of YCCS shocked the territory this past weekend as the sister island of Virgin Gorda is already reeling from the news of 75 jobs lost as a result of the closure of Biras Creek Resort and more than 320 jobs lost as a result of the closure for 18 months for renovation of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort from this month. Photo: File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) believes the news of the closure of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) from June 1, 2016 represents "a failing of the Virgin Islands economy."

Honourable Fraser made the comment in a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday April 30, 2016.

News of the impending closure shocked the territory this past weekend as the sister island of Virgin Gorda is already reeling from the news of 75 jobs lost as a result of the closure of Biras Creek Resort and more than 320 jobs lost as a result of the closure for 18 months for renovation of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort from this month.

While Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith said the displaced workers from Biras Creek Resort and Rosewood Little Dix Bay will be helped to seek alternative employment, there had been no announcement of steps, if any, to bring relief to the some 25 YCCS workers.

As such, Honourable Fraser asked whether this issue will gain the attention of Premier Smith.

'Worst possible news'

“Today I got news that Yacht Club Costa Smeralda  (YCCS) in the Biras Creek- North Sound area of Virgin Gorda has served notice that 25 of its employees will be out of work as of June 1, 2016,” he said.

“This certainly must be the worst possible news for the people of Virgin Gorda and possibly the economy of the Virgin Islands,” he said.

Honourable Fraser added that by comparison the number might be small, given that the prior two resort closures affected far greater numbers.

He said the timing of this latest closure is significant because it is so close on the heels of Little Dix Bay and Biras Creek closures.

“It suggests a failing of the economy,” he said.

“Whatever it is that's going on in the territory at this time, I can assure you that the people of the territory do not know, because those who know are not saying,” Hon Fraser stated.

22 Responses to “YCCS closure 'a failing' of VI economy - Hon Julian Fraser RA”

  • Justice Scales (02/05/2016, 09:15) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    If David Johnson were fired, there'd be enough money to pay everyone on VG who was fired, and have one
    big celebration. But why name an upscale yacht club like "Smellarella"...? Maybe it did stink.
  • ... (02/05/2016, 09:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • Reality check (02/05/2016, 10:20) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    LDB and YCCS are closing to allow for sizable financial investments to upgrade and add to their current physical operations. This willingness to invest in the BVI is a sign of confidence in our economy - far from indicating any level of a "failing economy".
  • Foolishness (02/05/2016, 11:01) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    The country will NOT prosper in the area of Tourism until we get the Airport. Keep talking nonsense while the BVI crumbles for lack of leadership and vision.
    • bull junks (02/05/2016, 11:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      St.John economy is doing fine and they don't have an airport but VG has a small one.
  • Banker (02/05/2016, 11:07) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Improving your product and investing a large amount of money signifies a failing economy??? Get real!!
  • Well Sah (02/05/2016, 11:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    suppose this economy wasn't robust? buddy?
  • TurtheDove (02/05/2016, 12:17) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    Fraser is right yet again
  • bbb (02/05/2016, 14:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI is turning into a mini ST. Bart's.
  • Gecko (02/05/2016, 14:44) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is not surprising. It could be a delayed response to the burst financial bubble world wide. BVI is tip of the dog's tail. These resorts were catering to those mega rich who are having to reassess their portfolios and some sell their "toys". Catering to the elite primarily is not always a good idea. One has to diversify, but hopefully that doesn't mean relying totally on cruise ships. mega yachts and cruise ships are two opposite ends of the spectrum.
  • Really??!! (02/05/2016, 15:35) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I mean really Fraser??!! If they were closing their doors for good and leaving altogether then I could see Fraser making that comment. They likely would not have been renovating if they weren't financially able to do so and I also do not think they would make that kind of investment if they think the economy was in dire straits in the BVI.

    On the other hand, I understand that it would be a struggle for many who are out of a job and will be out of one soon. I do hope everybody finds something soon. Just try to move on once you've been treated fairly with your gratuity and so on. In the long run they will be hiring again and some 320+75+25 (give or take) will be available for many.
    • Agree (02/05/2016, 19:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you. after the renovations, apply again. If you were a good employee, they will remember that and may rehire you again. I remember one time I was looking for a job at this company and they keep saying there is nothing available, I knew there was and I kept going back to the company every day and filling out the application until they got tired of seeing me everyday and they hired me. You cannot give up no matter how bad it is. Sometimes you have to keep kicking doors down.
  • chad (02/05/2016, 16:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Virgin Gorda's population is about 3000 and can you imagine 500 out of work? WOW!
  • wize up (02/05/2016, 17:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    companies have been closing in this territory for years: what some are doing now is restructuring in an effort to become more competitive; the BVI is no longer a set of small islands somewhere in the caribbean; these Virgin Islands are now playing on the Global Platform....so sometimes when you read what this member continues to say about his own country in a public setting, makes one wonder(old people say, not everything good to talk and if you don't have anything good to say keep your mouth shut)....come to me the member laying a foundation for the UK to come with all of his negative levels of conversation...
  • What else to expect? (03/05/2016, 10:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    As usual, Frasier is spouting off half truths to scare the gullible.
    Fact: Almost ALL the resorts and tourist oriented restaurants used to close in the off season, but we've gotten used to them staying open lately so now we're shocked?
    Fact: YCCS and LDB are not closing, they are RENOVATING AND EXPANDING. This is quite the opposite. They are employing more construction workers, will employ more staff when they reopen and will bring in more tourist dollars.
    Absolutely the only reason they are doing this is because they fully believe in the potential for their businesses.
    Myth: Frasier has a chance in future politics.
  • VG (03/05/2016, 12:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I probably speak for many that if it was more reasonably priced to take the ferry and if there was somewhere nice but reasonable to stay, I'd go to VG more often at weekends. That said, I can't get a coffee in Spanish town and it's not obvious where you can get local fruit juices and food that is not just fried stuff. VG is great but could try harder and the ferry costs stifle local tourism which supports the island's seasonal high end product.
  • lasco (03/05/2016, 12:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    People who has no clue about the world of finances continue to say how these resorts are not closing they just upgrading their products and will reopen and rehire and be better than before. First of all, these companies not using their own monies so if the millions they spend to renovate ends during a terrible economy and they never reopen they don't loose a cent, because it was not there money in the first place.

    The world is flooded with funny money being dumped into places like these, only in the BVI it's being done on a small scale. Look how Scrub can't account for millions of 1st Bank money and the bank write it off. Look at the $billions resort in the Bahamas them can't get open and no body seems concerned. Where is all this money coming from?

    Second, these people laid off, they have families, apartments to pay for. What happens to the owners of these apartments? What happens to the businesses in Virgin Gorda which relied on these people to survive? What happens to the businesses in Virgin Gorda that relied on those resorts to survive?

    You people who got jobs and never lost your job should think before coming on here bashing people who see this thing from a different angle. This thing deeper than a lot of people think.
  • singing the blues (03/05/2016, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Lasko- most sensible comment- you should be the Premiere- unfortunately most person here is either knowledge able enough or care enough- sole reason we remain oppressed and at the whim and fancy of these modern day slave masters
  • wize up (03/05/2016, 18:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    no white person that owns a business in this territory will leave the BVI....things that can be done here, can NOT be done elsewhere especially the low rate of pay


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