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VI’s presence @ Seatrade 2025 prepares it for the future- Clive L. McCoy

Managing Director of the BVI Tourist Board Mr Clive L. McCoy (right) speaking with Information Officer Giovanni Herbert, at the 40th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach, Florida. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands delegation at Seatrade Cruice Global 2025 was led by Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands delegation at Seatrade Cruice Global 2025 was led by Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
Cruise ship visitors to the Virgin Islands amounted to 768,293 in 2024 compared to 719,519 in 2023, a 6.8% increase. Photo: VINO/File
Cruise ship visitors to the Virgin Islands amounted to 768,293 in 2024 compared to 719,519 in 2023, a 6.8% increase. Photo: VINO/File
MIAMI, Florida, USA- Director of the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), Mr Clive L. McCoy has said the Virgin Islands (VI) having representation at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 allows the territory to have a glimpse at what is happening globally.

Speaking with Information Officer Giovanni M.S. Herbert at the 40th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, Florida, Mr McCoy said, “Cruise is growing globally, and anything that happens globally, the British Virgin Islands is affected by it.”

He said mid-sized ships now hold 4500 people, which is the average ships normally seen coming to the VI. 

“So, what Seatrade allows us to do is to have a glimpse of what is happening globally and give us an opportunity to prepare for what is happening so that we can have a sustainable tourism sector in the BVI.”

Sustainability is key- Mr Clive L. McCoy

Mr McCoy, who was a panellist at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, said maintaining the number of visitors who come to the Territory is a priority. 

He said a Tourism Policy is currently in the works, and cruise will be a “significant” part of the discussions as it relates to “putting things in place to manage sustainability within the territory”. 

Mr McCoy said that while he wants as many visitors as possible to come to the VI, “If we can't sustain the experience or sustain our natural environment for future generations, then it is a loss for the BVI.”

Once completed, he added, the tourism policy will incorporate a heavy emphasis on how cruise visitors are managed along with overnight visitors. 

“[It] is going to put us in a position to have things in place for the increase in cruise visitors in the BVI.”

The VI delegation was led by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) and included several others, namely Mr McCoy and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4). 

The event was held at the Miami Beach Convention Centre from April 7 to 10, 2025.

Growing cruise tourism numbers

The Virgin Islands tourism sector achieved another milestone in 2024, with the welcoming of over one million visitors to the Territory.

According to the Central Statistics Office, total tourist arrivals surged to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8% increase compared to 994,896 in 2023.

Cruise ship visitors amounted to 768,293 in 2024 compared to 719,519 in 2023, a 6.8% increase.

7 Responses to “VI’s presence @ Seatrade 2025 prepares it for the future- Clive L. McCoy”

  • wastage (15/04/2025, 11:21) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    TWENTY PEOPLE WENT ON A WASTED TRIP
  • smh (15/04/2025, 13:10) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The cruise lines are strategic, they all now have their private islands, where they can control where the monies go. What would be the incentive to come to these dirty islands that are full of crime and corruption? Where there is no vision, the blind folks will perish and there are still a lot of blind folks who keep repeating the same mistake every four years.
    • dude (15/04/2025, 18:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ships go to jamaica and other island with real crime hush your mouth
  • Wellsah (15/04/2025, 19:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, it won't be long until the cruise lines attempt to leverage their private destinations to get favorable deals or additional access to destination resources. however until cruise passengers prefer just sailing around the Bahamas for more than 3 days or staying on the ship then destinations still hold the power. Alaska has implemented new restrictions on cruise ship visits to address over tourism Caribbean destinations should do the same.
  • Sounds like (15/04/2025, 22:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    A better Seatrade than 2022 - no arrests! Low bar here.
  • Out - Source.. (16/04/2025, 06:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Out - Source dispatching and security to a private Firm.. I believe Top Brass security will do a good Job, most of their security are ex military folks and the are the best paid.. Cause none of these conferences or training are making a difference..Especially in terms of improvement at the Pier park, dispatching, security, order, control and service and the blame are the politicians, and management, Some the Taxi drivers are so rude, disrespectful and indiscipline and neither Security or dispatch can discipline them, they will just jump on the phone and call the boss at the Port or a politician who give them satisfaction and, according to what I was told there is no written rules or policy in place to maintain and control...Like management scared. I think Out sourcing is the solution for improvement..
  • And we continue to go nuts (16/04/2025, 17:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Year after year we shell out thousands of dollars to go to this thing only to come home to a run down bunch of volcanic rock still showing signs of a massive hurricane that just passed. Its residents riddled with potholes, and swimming in sewerage. Nothing is implemented except on paper, nothing is maintained except for a month or two. At the beginning of every tourist season there is a bunch of fluff, but the echoes remain the same. On days when a ship or two is in, catch a ferry and go St Thomas, see how many ships over there! Simply put, other than talk our product does not give value for money. Name ONE thing a tourist can do here that they could not do in the USVI for a fraction of the cost. Even our tourist sites need some refreshing. Sun, sand and sea is played out!


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