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VI can pursue entertainment tourism market with confidence- Premier Fahie

- congratulates members of public & private services sectors for ‘stellar performance’ on concert weekend
An aerial view of a jam packed Festival Grounds during the Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Jamaican reggae artiste Mark Anthony Myrie aka ‘Buju Banton’ on June 15, 2019. Photo: Khari Adams/Khaptured Photography/Facebook
Left: The Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Mark A. Myrie aka ‘Buju Banton’, was promoted by KT Productions in collaboration with Pumpstation Productions, Westline Entertainment and Xclusive Levels, and was held at Festival Grounds in Road Town, Tortola, on June 15, 2019. Right: The first annual Soca Wee event of Raw Promotion was held at a jam packed Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on June 14, 2019 and featured international artiste Patrice Roberts. Photo: VINO
Left: The Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Mark A. Myrie aka ‘Buju Banton’, was promoted by KT Productions in collaboration with Pumpstation Productions, Westline Entertainment and Xclusive Levels, and was held at Festival Grounds in Road Town, Tortola, on June 15, 2019. Right: The first annual Soca Wee event of Raw Promotion was held at a jam packed Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on June 14, 2019 and featured international artiste Patrice Roberts. Photo: VINO
The Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Mark A. Myrie aka 'Buju Banton' on June 15, 2019 was attended by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), seen here flanked by Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: VINO/File
The Long Walk to Freedom Concert featuring Mark A. Myrie aka 'Buju Banton' on June 15, 2019 was attended by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), seen here flanked by Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: VINO/File
A section of the crowd at the first annual Soca Wee Event at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on June 14, 2019. Photo: VINO
A section of the crowd at the first annual Soca Wee Event at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on June 14, 2019. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Members of the public and private services sectors have been praised by Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) for their stellar performance over the last weekend during which several international music performers visited the Virgin Islands (VI) for two concert performances; one being the Long Walk To Freedom world tour by reggae legend Mark Anthony Myrie aka ‘Buju Banton’ and the other Soca Wee.

In a statement on June 20, 2019 Premier Fahie said, from preliminary reports, the territory was host to well over 8,000 visitors and these two events were relatively incident-free.

 “From all indications, visitors were able to enter the territory with ease, they enjoyed a high standard of hospitability, they were kept safe and they left our shores satisfied. This performance will go a long way in branding the British Virgin Islands as a preferred location for international concerts in the region since we have demonstrated the capacity to host such events. Indeed, the entertainment tourism market is one we can now pursue with confidence.”

Success story

According to Premier Fahie, “this success story” is only possible because all of the partners in the VI’s tourism industry and supporting agencies performed their respective roles with excellence in mind.

He said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Fire and Rescue Services and Office of Disaster Management (DDM), ensured the safety of all visitors and participants at the concert and that airlines, ferry operators and their staff, and taxi drivers worked extremely hard to ensure that persons were able to obtain transportation to and from the events.

“Customs and Immigration Officers, I am advised, performed their duties very effectively while ensuring a pleasant experience for arriving guests. Hoteliers, their staff and bed and breakfast operators provided high-quality service to our guests and ensured their comfort during their stay. Restaurateurs, bar operators and food vendors also contributed to making memorable BVI experiences for our visitors, as did so many others who are too numerous to mention.”

The Premier who, along with a number of his Government Ministers, attended the Buju Banton show, said these concerts put the VI on show to the world and tested its abilities and capabilities. “It goes without saying that we have met and surpassed expectations.”

“If it is anything that the hosting of last weekend’s events has taught us as a Territory is that we have the ability to achieve great things, especially when we work together. In unity there is strength.

We must feel proud of our performance and our achievement. Indeed, I am proud of how our people handled ourselves, and I look forward to our next great achievement in the hospitality and entertainment industry,” Premier Fahie said.

Concert weekend

The Long Walk to Freedom Concert, promoted by KT Productions in collaboration with Pumpstation Productions, Westline Entertainment and Xclusive Levels, was held at Festival Grounds in Road Town, Tortola, on June 15, 2019.

Supporting international artistes included Delyno Brown aka ‘Pressure’, Calvin G. Scott aka ‘Cocoa Tea’, Mikayla Simpson aka ‘Koffee’ and Clifton George Bailey III aka ‘Capleton’.

The first annual Soca Wee event of Raw Promotion was held at a jam packed Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on June 14, 2019 and featured international artiste Patrice Roberts.

With 2019 going down as a success, promoters are already planning for an even bigger Soca Wee for 2020.

11 Responses to “VI can pursue entertainment tourism market with confidence- Premier Fahie”

  • okay (21/06/2019, 08:16) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    But got to have real good artists.

    Seems like Buju became more popular after being able to serve his time without being defeated by the world system to break black men.
  • BUT... (21/06/2019, 08:40) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think it's a great idea for the territory to pursue entertainment tourism. But before we do that we need to upgrade our points of entry and departure to make them bigger and more efficient. I was leaving the territory the Monday after the concert and it was a mess. I waited in the line to clear security for the both for an hour and waited another hour for our boat to leave and I was to the boat on time. Lets get the direct flights to Miami going first before we think about doing this.
    • To But (21/06/2019, 12:03) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Whether governments or businesses you cannot wait until everything is perfect before you move forward with new things.
  • Yo (21/06/2019, 11:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Now we wait for him to bring in s gosoel icon like,, Cece Winan, no one left behind,
  • FANS (21/06/2019, 11:27) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    BVI and VIP ready that is all I will say!!!!
  • NICK (21/06/2019, 13:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    NICE BUT I AM TAKING MY HAT OFF TO THE FERRY SERVICE THEY DID AH EXCELLENT JOB GREAT JOB GUYS
  • i smile (21/06/2019, 13:54) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    When Buju landed in Jamaica after his release, he had to walk to immigration and customs like everybody. Every time he has left Jamaica since, he got to go through immigration and customs. Even though we love him a yard, no limo can't go out de tarmac fi pick him up. Me here she, Buju nearly didn't go to the show cause him realize promoters dem ah tek him fi fool. Him not even change him clothes. See who all shop and buy new clothes to go the show to see him. He just pull on a PJ and get outta here fist thing Sunday.

    Do a review. Check out his shows in Jamaica, Trinidad, Bahamas. Boss properly dress (even though dress up or dress down, he still get off good financially)

    I for one went Quitos because the promotion was that it was a meet and greet. Buju wasn't deh. Call that false advertising. I might not have been able to personally meet him had he showed up, but at least he would have been there. Stuff is going on over this show and I guess we will here
    • i smile (23/06/2019, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      everyone has a right to their opinion. I still waiting to see the advertisement that he was going to be at Quito's.
  • wize up (21/06/2019, 17:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    a substantial number of persons turned out for that performance simply because the headliner was not able to perform in the USVI therefore the USVI partnered with BVI to host the show in this territory: it was a good idea and hopefully such entertainment partnerships will blossom between USVI & BVI:
  • Jordana (22/06/2019, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do agree that this form of tourism can generate revenue for the BVI and yes efficient planning is a must for success.. as it relates to Bringing in different Artists, add top notch Gospel Artists to the mix.. I don’t mind persons like Buju coming for his music is “conscious” lyrics but I am against the Soca Artists-I see this as a trick of the enemy to steal souls from God.. don’t forget we are suppose to be a Godly community and yes not all of us are Christians but we should not put things in place that is unGodly-sinful where the enemy will get a foothold..as a community we should strive to get closer to God, not far from Him Hon. Premier..(food for thought!)
    • wize up (22/06/2019, 09:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Jordana: you have that option to bring the gospel artist into the territory simply get the permission and move forward: looking forward to your gospel concerts(talk is cheap put your suggestions in motion)....


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