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Tourism Product Unit to merge with Tourism Ministry- Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith

The Department of Tourism will oversee the Tourism Product Unit as it will be transferred from the BVI Tourist Board to the Ministry of Tourism. Photo: Internet source
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), has announced that the government will proceed with transferring the Tourism Product Unit of the BVI Tourist Board to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development. Photo: Facebook
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon. Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), has announced that the government will proceed with transferring the Tourism Product Unit of the BVI Tourist Board to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development. Photo: Facebook
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), has announced that the government will proceed with transferring the Tourism Product Unit of the BVI Tourist Board to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development.

The minister made this announcement during a Ninth District town hall meeting held on February 5, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church Hall on Virgin Gorda, organised by Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9).

‘New ministry’

"As you are aware, this particular ministry is fairly new. We established this ministry because we saw the importance of establishing this ministry to cover one of our serious economic pillars, tourism, and to really give it the attention that it deserves," Hodge-Smith stated. 

She added that the department of tourism will oversee this product unit as it will be transferred from the Tourist Board to establish the department of tourism.

Tourism offerings will enhance

The Product Unit serves as the bridge between government policy and the visitor’s physical experience.

The junior minister stated, "Within the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, this department will be responsible for tourism policies, standards, and training."

7 Responses to “Tourism Product Unit to merge with Tourism Ministry- Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith”

  • … (07/02/2026, 11:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    More of the same
  • Remove Clive and Maduro (07/02/2026, 12:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    More of the same
  • WOW (07/02/2026, 14:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nonsense! More bureaucracy and red tape so nothing gets done. Tourist Board always had the attention it deserved. Only when Chsirwomen and government got involved did the Tourist board hit a wall. And now it will be worst
  • good (07/02/2026, 15:55) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This makes sense !
  • … (08/02/2026, 07:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ideally, it should make sense but the human talent is not there yall
  • Agreeable One (08/02/2026, 13:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This makes a lot of sense, this has been in need from 20 years ago. The key now is we need a Minister of Tourism for that ministry. Not a figurehead like the Premier. It has to be someone who see the bigger picture, know what they want and know how to get things done. That will be the key!


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