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VI to consider environmental levy for cruise passengers- Hon Rymer

- said other Caribbean countries are already doing it
The Government of the Virgin Islands is seeking to implement an environmental levy for cruise passengers to the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) speaking at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration for Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park this morning, February 16, 2026. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) speaking at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration for Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park this morning, February 16, 2026. Photo: Facebook
WICKHAM’S CAY I, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands is seeking to implement an environmental levy for cruise passengers to the territory, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has disclosed.

Hon Rymer was speaking at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration for Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park this morning, February 16, 2026.

According to the Works Minister, the next decade is about sustainability, modernisation, and resilience, and the government is looking at how to integrate green technology into its port operations.

“We are examining ways to reduce our environmental footprint while increasing our economic output.

‘Not a new concept’

“And in that spirit, today, I announce that I have asked the Chairman of the Board [of the BVI Ports Authority] to consider implementing an environmental levy for cruise passengers visiting our shores. That is not a new concept. It is being charged in other jurisdictions across the Caribbean, and we should be no different.”

Hon Rymer said the revenue will be dedicated specifically to the preservation of the environment, “the very beauty that brings visitors there in the first place”, and that he was looking forward to working with the board and all stakeholders to make this a reality.

Visitors to the Virgin Islands, excluding cruise passengers and crews of vessels, are charged an Environmental and Tourism Levy of $10.00 to be paid upon arrival at all ports of entry. The levy became effective on September 1, 2017.

32 Responses to “VI to consider environmental levy for cruise passengers- Hon Rymer”

  • Wellsah (16/02/2026, 12:36) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    it's not like there were not successful models to follow to ensure proper fees and requirements were in the contracts with these cruise agencies. ofc not considered because the desperation of becoming a cruise destination was seeping thru your pores so got taken advantage of.
    • alfred (16/02/2026, 16:17) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
      Imagine what a tourist must think when they pay an environmental fee and then drive around this dump for a tour !!!! HAHAHA
  • J (16/02/2026, 12:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do cruise tourists pay the $10 fee that is charged when visitors enter the other local ports?
    • fact (16/02/2026, 16:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Cruise passengers do not pay the $10 environmental levy fee
    • @J (16/02/2026, 17:09) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      yes they do, what the minister forgets to mention is theat they allowed them not to charged for between 7 & 10 years for helping build the Pier park, well the 10years is now over and cruise passengers need to start paying it and the government needs to start spending it on the environment
      • @@3 (17/02/2026, 07:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        You hit the nail on the head. There is zero evidence the govt is spending any of the environmental tax on anyenvironmental issues, or that it has, or ever will. Someone needs extra money…
  • BVI/UK (16/02/2026, 13:45) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    @J yes all ports fee's are paid upfront when you booked your cruise.
    • smh (16/02/2026, 14:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please learn to read and comprehend!!!!
      "Visitors to the Virgin Islands, excluding cruise passengers and crews of vessels, are charged an Environmental and Tourism Levy of $10.00 to be paid upon arrival at all ports of entry. The levy became effective on September 1, 2017."
    • @BVI/UK (16/02/2026, 16:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not true for the environmental levy unless the cruise lines are scamming their passengers
  • Marcos (16/02/2026, 14:03) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    said other Caribbean countries are already doing it..

    THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO DO IT.
    LEAD FOLLOW OR GET OUT THE WAY.
    • black (16/02/2026, 16:37) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ Marcos
      Correct the Govt keeps nickel & dimming people for everything and still the place is in a bad state.
  • How much? (16/02/2026, 14:06) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    So... how much "will be dedicated specifically to the preservation of the environment", and how much to other entities such as to the BVI Tourist Board - that presently get a large percentage (maybe 40%?) - of the current environmental fee?
  • Great Idea. (16/02/2026, 14:11) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    $3.00 per passenger to maintain our Roads and beaches...Pls put tge money to the purpose its for...
  • Roger Burnett (16/02/2026, 14:36) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    No amount of levy can compensate for the irreversible damage they have inflicted on these islands.
  • Sound good (16/02/2026, 14:54) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    But charge half the fee the others charge. Little difference might make people select bvi more
  • Optimist (16/02/2026, 16:48) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, I pray it will be put to good use. Imagine collecting levy tax and infrastructure still in shambles...
    • @ optimist (16/02/2026, 20:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wish I could say trust that they will, but deep down we know they wont. And they will justify the nonsense and give themselves another raise.
  • please (16/02/2026, 17:44) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Don't worry soon none will be coming. It's all planned by the devil
  • hmm (16/02/2026, 18:19) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    One thing this government thinks that when they add a nickel and a dime to everything is going to fix our deficit and infrastructure The more money we make the more greedy they get less things are fixed a lot of patchwork all over the place. It really wouldn’t be bad for the government to consider some kind of outside consultation because this group that we have these so called politicians it’s not it. All of them are recycled everything they say is regurgitated no original thought no vision they don’t seem to know what they’re doing. They happen around use any opportunity for a photo opp.
  • Wait What? (16/02/2026, 19:29) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Isn't this the same Environmental Fund that sat untouched for years until somebody finally noticed? I guess they found some where to spend it. Has anyone checked with similar destinations to see what they charge before we price ourselves out of the market? And how can you charge an Environmental Tax when this place looks so bad with pot holes and trash everywhere. Thats it, I'm done
  • Stealth (16/02/2026, 20:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A no brainer. Leh we geh ah dun. Visitors disproportionately stress the Virgin Islands resources, attractions, infrastructure, etc. A reasonable fee for the maintenance, protection, preservation, of the environment, etc,
  • No Comparison (16/02/2026, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can’t compare BVI with other Caribbean islands!
    There’s nothing here for tourists to see !
    Hurry bring that levy tax !
    I will read about the results.
  • facts (16/02/2026, 20:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can ask the cruise ship operators to use their scubbers in our port and make it mandatory? The other day there was thick layer of smog over road down. A lot other ports this is mandatory.
  • Why the government so greedy?? (16/02/2026, 20:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    With all the money it takes to get here, and all the taxes, environmental fee, boat fares, and other sh!+ tourist pay to get here, just to see sh!+ in the streets WHY are you people charging more money??. Not every tourist is well off. A lot of them are average citizens like most of us who save up to take these trips. Do you have ANY idea how much it costs to travel from California to the BVI?? I know because I have spoken to them. You all are turning people off from coming and SPENDING more money HERE. Many of them head back to the ship for lunch because they find most of our prices ridiculous! The majority of them DO NOT shop here, they wait for STT, XSM, DR, etc. Why are we charging them more money? We dont offer them anything different. And what will these new monies pay for, thr next big stage name artist? Let's be real, WE NEED A PREMIER who aint scared to steer the ship, cause we clearly on auto pilot. Natalio busy in New York modeling clothes because he has convinced himself that it is more important to be "resort wear" model t for a guyanese woman who is claiming to be representing the BVI. The woman is GUYANESE, the BVI is her stepping stone to the USA. She dont care about no damn BVI. She lived her for a number of years, had two children and now she is a BVI islander???? Natalio priorities are all screwed up! The country is a mess! He cant smell this place???. But he in New York hob-nobbing with people who won't give him a chance after he is out of office!
  • ok den (16/02/2026, 21:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    go right ahead and kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
  • %100 raise (17/02/2026, 06:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Call election quick, we need to get rid of y'all ASAP
  • Puleazzze (17/02/2026, 07:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this is done, no derelict vehicle should be seen along the gvt road. If it is, when the owner renews their new ride, tax them for that old vehicle removal.
  • Anonymous (17/02/2026, 07:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We must hold those powerful shipping companies to account.
  • Wellsah (17/02/2026, 10:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    some of ayyuh dont know the difference of just getting crumbs vs being greedy. too many just grateful for the crumbs from the cruise industry. the bahamas continue to be a top cruise destination and look at their pp costs. so why you want to be the cheapest option?
  • Mr. Hodge (17/02/2026, 16:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The environmental fee is necessary but the key is making sure the funds being collected will be appropriated to its cause. If there was an environmental problem be it oil, fuel, sewerage or sargassum do we have the necessary people and equipment in place to handle it? There are enough people with great ideas but we are terrible at planning, implementing and sustaining.
    It all goes back to having a NATIONAL PLAN and not some election gimmick that sounds good. Politicians need to be graded on the execution of the mandate of a national plan which should be easy enough to follow. Our politicians basically are trying to convince us that they are able to build a rounder wheel
  • cap (18/02/2026, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes let’s make it even more expensive for people to visit. As if there weren’t enough fees involved already. Visitors and citizens are already struggling with the ridiculous fee increases over the last few years, and this government keeps pushing more. This place is just one big money grab, they don’t care about people, only their own pockets. Tourists aren’t stupid and are going elsewhere, they see what’s going on.
    • Wellsah (18/02/2026, 14:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So you want the VI to be a bargain vacation spot? Does NYC,St. Barts, French Polynesian islands etc focus on being an affordable destination? Living here isn’t cheap but let’s be a cheap destination, got it.


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