Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

COVID-19 signalled need for a more innovative VI – Hon de Castro

Junior Minister for Tourism, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the territory has highlighted the need for more innovation in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Provided
Hon Sharie B. de Castro said the VI’s tourism products are still awe-inspiring will remain in high demand when the global tourism industry reopens, 'I know this to be true because while our tourism industry is part of a larger industry that spans beyond our shores, we remain competitive.' Photo: Facebook
Hon Sharie B. de Castro said the VI’s tourism products are still awe-inspiring will remain in high demand when the global tourism industry reopens, 'I know this to be true because while our tourism industry is part of a larger industry that spans beyond our shores, we remain competitive.' Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Junior Minister for Tourism, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) says the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the Territory have highlighted the need for more innovation in the Virgin Islands (VI).

Hon de deCastro was speaking at yesterday’s September 21, 2020, launch of the BVILOVE campaign where it was also announced that the Territory will re-open its shores to tourists beginning December 1, 2020.

“COVID-19 has indeed thrown major obstacles in our course. It has delayed our journey and it has changed the landscape. Now, that does not mean we have abandoned our vision and our goals.”

Hon de Castro said while economies impacted the most are those that depend on travel and tourism, the coronavirus has not, “dulled our stunning sunsets, has not soiled our white sandy beaches, has not evaporated our pristine waters and definitely has not taken the wind out of our ideal sailing and diving locations.”

Need for innovation

She said COVID-19 has not tarnished the brand of the VI, nor affected its ability to diversify, “Instead, it has renewed our commitment to improving our sector and strengthening our competitiveness, while shoring up our tourism product offerings.”

Hon de Castro underscored that COVID-19 has signalled that the VI must therefore become more innovative in a fast and accurate manner.

She said the VI’s tourism products are still awe-inspiring and will remain in high demand when the global tourism industry reopens, “I know this to be true because while our tourism industry is part of a larger industry that spans beyond our shores, we remain competitive.”

13 Responses to “COVID-19 signalled need for a more innovative VI – Hon de Castro”

  • Caster (22/09/2020, 11:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Less pollution the sea water cleaner. The air less polluted. But yes we have a platinum product and we need to prepare to sell it like never before.
    • Oooooops (22/09/2020, 13:40) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      you forgot to register the website name www.bvilove.com and now someone has purchased it!

      Luckily it is a local politician who you have to pay some money to get it back..
  • My dear, Its simple (22/09/2020, 12:01) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Start reading the blogs.. start listening to the people. This country belongs to all of us and we all want the best for it... Dont see it as criticism but as interest in the country.. Govt dont have all the answers. The consultants dont have all tbe answers. Listen to the people, especially those who are planted and produce in tourism for many many years... As I see it rite now your ship is on the wrong course. We only want to help set things right,...Thanks for your understanding and time... much blessings
  • Funny (22/09/2020, 12:58) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    She should of given lessons to the new Director of Tourisim on how to read from a telepromter because she nailed it and he was an embarassment
  • Servant of God in christ Jesus (22/09/2020, 13:29) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hon. Sherie B. De Castro, Ieadily agree with you theat we are in need for more innovation, but our greatest lack is not innovaton, but true love for God our Creator and our human eaual. It is a deployable great shame that that many of us, and it seems to me more so, native are using our tongues like showels and continuing to unjustly labeling our fellow humans as they are inferior to us, due to lack of material posessions, and skin colour. Love cares for all. Love shares the good things of life with as many as able to. Love bears others burden, if able to. God's Love for us snd others, and our receprecal love for God and others,
  • Servant of God in Jesus Chrisi. (22/09/2020, 13:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    More innovations yes, But God Love for us and others, and responcive love for God and others, triump all. May God richly bless you Hon. Sherie B De Castro. Do the best you are sble to do, depending on God's strength.
  • barman (22/09/2020, 13:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please remove this nonsense of a curfew off us then you can get one of my ears to listen.
  • rattie (22/09/2020, 15:04) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    She will get re-elected with eass
  • E. Leonard (22/09/2020, 15:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a prevalent open secret that the VI is a small (59 square mile), disaster-prone, natural resource-poor locale and that the economic twin pillars—-Tourism and Financial Services—-of its service-based, open economy are fragile. And that it (VI) is highly dependent of tourism and trade and also lacks the resources to build either a strong primary(agriculture, fishing, forestry, energy)or secondary (manufacturing) economy. Moreover, Covid-19 has exposed the structural weakness(s) of its economy. It has hobbled tourism, a major employer, ie, direct, indirect and induced, resulting in drastic visitor reduction arrivals and layoffs(thousands), increasing the demand on government to stimulate the economy to avoid a total economic collapse and to lessen the hardships on individuals and businesses. Covid-19 has changed lives and livelihoods, creating new normals. Even with a vaccine(s), cure and therapeutics, things probably will not return to pre-Covid-19 status. Consequently, what is the way forward?

    It must develop a national development plan to promote and sustain short- and long-term growth and development, to build resiliency against natural and others disasters...........etc. It must invest in health, education(local) and infrastructure. It must leverage technology. It must protect and preserve environmental resources. It must deepen and strengthen tourism and financial services. It must diversify its economy, exploring the Blue Economy(12 mile territorial sea, 200 mile exclusive economic zone) for opportunities, eg, fishing, aquaculture, biotechnology, energy( gas, oil, wind, wave, thermal).....etc. It must settle its political status (at least for the near term). It must stabilize its labour and Immigration issues. It must stabilize its land ownership and use. It must managed its $400M+ operations and management budget and its approx $1B GDP to deliver the best and most services to the people at the least cost. It must lessen the dependence on government. It must negotiate strong and meaningful constitutional reform.
  • Political Observer (PO) (22/09/2020, 19:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    “Hon de Castro said while economies impacted the most are those that depend on travel and tourism, the coronavirus has not, “dulled our stunning sunsets, has not soiled our white sandy beaches, has not evaporated our pristine waters and definitely has not taken the wind out of our ideal sailing and diving locations.” No dis intended. But this is some nice flowery language, some poetry. What is needed is real deal poetry. The VI needs concrete and sustain solutions to its myriad of problems, eg, health, education, economy, employment, property and violent crime, environment.... etc. Prior to Covid-19 the VI was tip toeing around its economic issues, pretending about all the problems lying below the surface. Well, Covid-19 has tore the veneer across the whole situations and laid things bare. Now the Genie Ian out of the bottle. The VI has to wrestle with its problem in an effective and efficient manner. And there is an urgency of now. There is no going back to the old normals. It must embrace the new normals.
  • 911 (23/09/2020, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She means well we just need to heae from here more
  • trergdffdg (24/09/2020, 03:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since when did Jacko become Junior Minister for Tourism?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.