VI must 'aggressively & assertively' expand its tourism sector- Skelton-Cline
"We must be about doing or being more assertive and aggressive in expanding and enhancing our tourism product... I do not yet see the materialisation of it and I want to challenge all of us... who will have a role to play in expanding and enhance our offerings," he said on the Tuesday, February 18, 2020 edition of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show.
Skelton-Cline continued, "Sun, sea and sand are there. They are God's natural gifts to us, but how we care for them, what we do with it, how we enhance and how we expand off that is important," he said.
Pointing to the airport expansion, he said better airlift should be a matter of priority to bring more tourists given that the financial serves sector is on the decline.
"Clearly it's taken a hit, clearly it will continue taking hits," he said regarding the financial services sector.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has indicated that the VI's financial services sector had faced huge losses in 2019.
Recalibrate sector - Selton-Cline
"We have to be more aggressive in branded hotel in this country, ensuring that the hotels that are down are back up as soon as possible... we have to be more aggressive,' Skelton-Cline reiterated.
He said the tourism sector must now be the key focus in terms of promoting the cultures and telling the stories of Virgin Islanders, and to put measures in place to get things going, which will in turn, secure the future for generations to come.
"We cannot determine the future, we must be willing to exert our efforts and our energies in determining what kind of future... and impacting that future, helping to shape that future, and tourism is a major part of that," Mr Skelton-Cline said.
During his 2020 budget presentation, Premier Fahie had shared several plans to boost tourism activities, such as duty-free fuel for mega-yachts and drag racing amongst other plans to diversify the industry.
10 Responses to “VI must 'aggressively & assertively' expand its tourism sector- Skelton-Cline”
This is totally in conflict with the concept of Nature's Little Secrets….
IRONICALLY, a book commissioned by BVI Tourist Board, authored and published in 1989 by "Pierre Encontre" listed on Amazon: "Why does the tourist dollar matter?: An introduction to the economics of tourism in the British Virgin Islands" was meant to be taught in our schools; but for reasons I am not aware, never made it to the schools. A major highlight of the book was the LEAKAGEs (the moneys that Flow out of the economy to other countries and Producers; example the vehicles, clothing, food, Fossil Fuel ++++. That was before the days of the Lottery tickets and Pala.
Moreover, looking outward, tourism is one the core economic pillars that needs to be strengthen, deepen and extended. Further, the VI must look outward beyond sand, sea and sun and focus on upscale, heritage and eco tourism. To make this happen, it must invest in First World infrastructure, ie, port, water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications, drainage, roads, gas......etc. In addition to the infrastructure, top-notched medical capacity and capability, schools, fire, police.......etc are needed. Further, it needs to improve and add to its inventory of attractions. Additionally, the sea is a major tourism draw for both land- and water-based tourists. Tourists want to step out their hotel rooms, walk a few feet, jump into the blue/turquoise water or just lounge on the beach. To meet customer demand, hotel owners typically construct a few feet beyond the high water mark. However, constructing close to the high water makes the facility more vulnerable to disaster, ie, hurricanes. The tourism industry has an inherent interest in disaster resilience and should take action(s) to protect the industry’s reputation. A quick recovery from a disaster, ie, hurricane is critical to the brand and reputation. Finally, in addition to strengthening, depending and extending tourism, the VI must diversify its economy.