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

Despite businesses pulling out, Premier sees brighter future for tourism

Some businesses within the Virgin Islands are closing because of their inability to sustain themselves. Some are blaming part of it on the cruiseships that are pulling out which is limiting their revenue stream.
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism will regain itself
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism will regain itself
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism sector will regain itself.
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism sector will regain itself.
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism sector will regain itself.
Premier Hon. Orlando Smith says VI tourism sector will regain itself.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Tourism in the Virgin Islands (VI) is currently spiraling downwards, forcing the businesses that cater for and solely depend on tourism to have no choice but to downsize, temporarily close or worst, close permanently.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Minister for Finance with responsibility for Tourism, Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith on May 3 2012, in regards to tourism, more specifically the future of tourism within the VI, stated that the tourism sector is progressing and will soon be on stable grounds.

In relation to businesses within the VI closing because of the unstable and unpredictable economy, particularly Columbian Emeralds, Premier Smith stated that he is aware of the closure and it is sad to hear, but reiterated that the future is brighter for the economy and the tourism sector within the Territory.

Columbian Emeralds, an international company that was operating a local branch in the Virgin Islands for the last 14 years, closed its doors permanently to the public on April 28, 2012.

It was unable to continue business within the VI due to financial instability caused by problems existing within the tourism sector and the economic crisis, claimed the General Manager Eileene Bourk .

"Looking at the decline in the cruise ship industry for the next two seasons, predominantly the Norwegian line and the Princess line pulling out, which caused a down sizing from 31-36 percent in our market share of the business and that’s huge for us. We already saw a big loss in January, February, and March and when we assessed and looked at the figures, it shows that it came from the pulling out of these cruise ships,” Ms. Bourk had said in an interview with this news agency, citing one of the reasons for the company's financial instability.

Another business that closed because of their incapability to battle any further with the claimed ‘falling economy’ was the local agents for Rolex, A.H. Rise, which closed its doors prior to the Saturday before the closing of Columbian Emeralds, May 21, 2012.

8 Responses to “Despite businesses pulling out, Premier sees brighter future for tourism”

  • Not2Sure (07/05/2012, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Optimism is great. But what we really need is some solid PLANS for development and resuscitating the industry. Otherwise we are going to be in some deep trouble.
  • talk girl talk (07/05/2012, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    just more blah blah blah blah
  • ooooo (07/05/2012, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor dr smith....like he even dont have a clue of whats going on
  • Oh dear (07/05/2012, 10:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh dear, I heard that my favourite restaurant, Sky was in debt and the owner ran away leaving lots of debt. So saaaaaaad. Another business down the drain. Poor Orlando.
  • ------------------------- (07/05/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the businesses have no confiedence in the NDP that is why they all running with the change of government
    • live and learn (07/05/2012, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      but the NDP ran saying that they will be pro businesses and do this and that then why are all the businesses still running out the country???
  • pope (07/05/2012, 12:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need some money pump into the economy not cut back
  • confused (08/05/2012, 13:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So now we are getting a ZIP line in Cane Garden Bay....even though there will be fewer tourists to ride it and it will bisect Cane Garden Bay....this means the businesses in Cane Garden that collect fees for moorings will be forced out of business since none of the tourists on charter boats will be able to anchor or moor in Cane Garden Bay.....so the beach bars, restaurants and clubs will all suffer but I guess the 2 guys who are capitalizing on a national resource will do well....please think these things through a little better....The 2 men should have to post a bond so when the ZIP line fails the bond can be used to restore the beauty of the bay and allow other businesses to prosper without the government having to pay to remove this eyesore.....


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.