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BVITB ‘Welcome Desks’ in St Thomas to be closed Dec 1, 2023!

The BVI Tourist Board 'Welcome Desk' Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas, USVI. Word reaching our newsroom is that the BVI Welcome Desk at Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) is expected to close effective December 1, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Virgin Islands Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy has promised to respond to VINO queries on the matter. Photo: BVITB/File
Virgin Islands Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy has promised to respond to VINO queries on the matter. Photo: BVITB/File
CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT, St Thomas, USVI- Word reaching our newsroom is that the BVI Welcome Desk at Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) is expected to close effective December 1, 2023.

It is our understanding from two Members of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), speaking to our news centre on condition of anonymity, that a decision was taken to close the operation as a cost-saving measure.

The BVI Welcome Desk at the Cyril E. King Airport was used to help guide residents and tourists transitioning via the airport to the [B]VI through St Thomas and also served to promote the Territory, since many passengers and local residents used the King Airport on their way to Tortola and the other sister islands.

Both airport & ferry terminal desks to be closed

The desk, also referred to as a ‘Greeter Service’, was relaunched in 2015 by then BVI Tourist Board Director Sharon P. Flax-Brutus and was seen as another step in the guest experience. It is unclear the cost of the operations or how much savings the BVI Tourist Board will realise from the closure.

There is also a welcome greeter service desk operated by the BVI Tourist Board at the Wilmoth Blyden Ferry Terminal on the St Thomas waterfront. This was also relaunched in 2015 as a form of concierge service that provided a seamless travel experience.

That is expected to be closed also.

Up to the time of publication, neither Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge Smith (R4) nor BVITB Chairwoman Delma Maduro had responded to our queries on the matter.

Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy has promised a reply.

24 Responses to “BVITB ‘Welcome Desks’ in St Thomas to be closed Dec 1, 2023!”

  • Hmmmm (14/09/2023, 12:59) Like (16) Dislike (15) Reply
    That Flax woman killed tourism board. She should be audited.
    • @hmmmm (14/09/2023, 16:52) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Becareful what you ask for because the results will not be good at all. Let the audit rip away.
  • Styles. (14/09/2023, 13:00) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    Let me guess. They are using the funds they save with this for some stupid concert again.
    • Rubber Duck (14/09/2023, 14:39) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      I fly through STT a couple of times a month because I am a bit of a jet setter. I have never seen the desk manned or open.
  • jah (14/09/2023, 13:04) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dem were always sleeping or scowling at that desk anyhow
  • taxpayer (14/09/2023, 13:19) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are a lot of ways to save the taxpayer money, this is not one of them!
    Why would we do this, get rid of the office in New York if you really want to save money.
  • joe (14/09/2023, 13:30) Like (28) Dislike (8) Reply
    Time to STOP build up an other man Country and invest in your Own...the USVI do not give a dam about The Virgin Islands unless if its in their own interest. The Run way at Beef Island needs to the Lenghten, if Government can not do it, then lease it to a private company. The Government would not have anything to loose but gain in the long run
    • @joe (14/09/2023, 13:54) Like (15) Dislike (13) Reply
      Building up another man's country? The USVI people are our own people! We help each other. Stay out of family matters!
      • To @ Joe (14/09/2023, 17:52) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        You’re a Nincompoop.
      • @@joe (15/09/2023, 06:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Dream on "Family matters " If you don't know it, that generation has passed. The younger people in the USVI don't see things like you do. They don't care where you were born or where you came from. We are the ones still holding on to those antiquated ways. It is now the survival of the fittest
    • Hoomemie (14/09/2023, 16:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I fully support this comment. It's like a child leave your mother house and fend for yourself If you want to be independent.
    • @joe (15/09/2023, 05:08) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      When you don't have nothing tangible to say keep your thoughts to yourself. One could tell that you ain't a Virgin Islander or Belonger cause you typing piss.
  • hmm (14/09/2023, 13:35) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    Forwards never, backwards ever
  • Sodden (14/09/2023, 14:37) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Err….I think a lot has to do with rising tensions between bvi and USVI regarding less access to USVI boats chartering in bvi. Expect a lot more to come, only a matter of time before USVI retaliates more.
  • Savings…? (14/09/2023, 15:12) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    (2) staff maximum @ $18k-$24k yearly works out to $36k-$48k p.a. The nonstop concert cost us way more than that for what returns exactly? Strategically, we ar lost and don’t know which way is up! We’re left to swim with sharks and orcas that feasting on our inexperiences and lack of thinking.
  • … (14/09/2023, 15:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What’s next
  • Shame Shame Shame (14/09/2023, 15:17) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a shame for us here in the BVI. Although I don't know the reason for the closure, it is a shame, to have this so publicly advertised. We just have to pray and keep praying for our nation buddy, because we surely need Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit right about now, more than ever.
  • boy oh boy (14/09/2023, 15:25) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you all would stop putting these people without management skills, who are in these clubs in these positions the country would start to flourish. I am sure you all can see by now, that everything failing at the hands of these club associates and alliances. One day the eyes of everyone in the BVI will open but it will for sure be too late. The club nation from the top down is running the BVI deep down into an endless pit and until these associations who running this country are checked, we will never see our way.
  • ... (14/09/2023, 16:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    is Delma still the chair? what a mistake
  • Direct flights (14/09/2023, 17:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s why. Why the hell would you setup a station in the airport of another man’s country…?
  • See (14/09/2023, 17:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about just running the desks properly and with competent people. Or does that require too much intelligence on the part of employer and employee ? A huge opportunity lost here because we don't have competent people . VERY SAD
  • @hmmm (15/09/2023, 06:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the audits begin.
  • zack (16/09/2023, 10:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get a new director that will be a good start


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