The BVI Tourist Board's Niche Marketing Manager, Ms Lynette L. Harrigan explained that the Tourist Board is doing whatever it takes to promote the package to residents under an extensive marketing programme. Photo: VINO

Participants from Dolphin Discovery look on during the Tourist Board's Staycation presentation. Photo: VINO

Members of the Tourist Board offer information about the Staycation initiative to residents at the launch. Photo: VINO

The package, now being offered for the fourth consecutive year, offers residents an opportunity to take a break from the routine of their day-to-day lives to vacation within their own destination according to the Tourist Board’s Niche Marketing Manager, Ms. Lynette L. Harrigan.

She expressed that vacationing within one’s own destination not only offers an opportunity to avoid long lines, immigration or customs but also gives travellers a chance to avoid the high cost normally associated with travel. “You just either jump on a ferry or jump in your car and you’re there,” Harrigan said.

The BVI Tourist Board showed a number of testimonials during its Staycation launch, which included an endorsement from Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering and his family.

Dr Pickering said he took vacations to Little Dix Bay for at least two weekends per year over the past 6-7 years and found it to be very cost effective. “(It has been) very useful for us as a family, a short getaway but exquisite in the experience,” he expressed while stating that the service has been second to none.

Harrigan also said that the Tourist Board is doing whatever it takes to promote the package to locals under an extensive marketing programme.

She was quick to note that there was no selective nature about the Staycation package as it ranged from villas to a number of 5-star properties.

Earlier, Premier and Minister for Tourism, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith encouraged citizens to become tourists within their own homeland; he added “sometimes, we do not want the hassle of traveling, or we want to stay in the Territory, but get away from home…”

He encouraged industry partners to give locals their best offers; citing examples such as 10 percent off dinner; car rentals to tour the islands for a week with one day free; or the opportunity to spend a weekend at a local hotel or guesthouse and get lunch free for one day.

The Staycation package features partnerships with a number of hotels, car rentals, spas, sailing packages and tour operators at significantly reduced prices including, Agape Cottages, Peter Island, Little Dix Bay, Treasure Isle in addition to a host of others.

Harrigan also noted that even after the launch of Staycation 2013, additional packages are still being made visible through the Tourist Board. She noted that the response over the years had been quite positive and this has been proven from reactions by residents as well as partners within the industry.

The BVI Tourist Board has also established a website www.bvistaycation.com which offers interested persons an opportunity to select from the packages that are available.

The Staycation experience is a seasonal programme offered during the summer months and extends from April 15 – December 15, 2013; some partners are also extending packages to residents of the USVI as well as Puerto Rico.