Yachting & Diving industries to receive special attention- Flax-Mars
In the 2013 Budget Address on November 15, 2012 Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith had outlined the key elements of his Government’s “Back to Basics” strategy being implemented to reposition tourism in the marketplace, a strategy which focuses on the destination’s strengths in the areas of land based tourism; water based and nautical tourism; growing the super and mega yachts sector; expanding the destination’s calendar of annual events; developing the destination’s potential in the lucrative wedding and honeymoon market and expanding the destination’s advertising and social media programme in North America- the primary market.
Parallel to this, through the tourism sector they intend be aggressively re-entering markets such as the UK and Europe and entering new markets like South America. “This strategy is underpinned by sharp focus on and consolidation of all our marketing initiatives. My Government fully understands that to grow and prosper, our tourism sector will need to be more flexible and responsive to the global trends which are shaping and driving the consumer decision making process,” the Honourable Premier re-iterated recently.
The intended focus in the yachting, diving, hotels and hospitality sectors came out when Flax-Mars was officially introduced by the Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith recently. She told media operatives that while she has been involved in tourism in the Virgin Islands for quite some time, it was recognized that diving and yachting are very important sectors, which have been on the upscale.
“I do need to spend a little bit more time working with them; in fact next week I have plans to have some site visits with the different operators to learn more on the ground as to know specifically what their challenges are and what the tourist board can do to help them,” said Flax-Mars.
As for hospitality and hotels, she said that they have planned quite a bit of work with the small families because it is a known fact that they are very limited sometimes with resources and the idea is to work with them to assist them in learning financials, interior designs etc, and with whatever marketing resources the tourism board can provide. “That’s one of the thrusts of the tourist board, for us to market BVI and we know that there are a lot of challenges with lots of the smaller properties...”
It is the expressed view of persons in some circles that there has been a decline in the hotel industry in the Virgin Islands. This they feel is a consequence of the upward thrust of the yachting industry, which more often than not sees tourists over-nighting on their boats. Currently there is no available statistical data to prove this observation by some members of the public, however, the tourism authority feels the major problem in the hotel industry is that of financial management.
Flax-Mars had indicated that they would be placing much emphasis on the aspect of over-nighting, which has proven to secure more income for hoteliers and the tourism sector of the Virgin Islands.
Recognising the need to be bold, yet strategic and fiscally responsible in their approach, Ms. Flax-Mars said that while tourism is the business of everyone, reposition and re-energising tourism will take diligence, persistence, vision, planning, education, time and money. “I am committed and passionate about working with our team at the Tourist Board and as well with industry partners to achieve this,” she assured.
The sector is pushing for a ten percent increase in arrivals by 2016.
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12 Responses to “Yachting & Diving industries to receive special attention- Flax-Mars”
good news, now share that info with some of these whites that coming here, maybe them can go to big UK and leave little BVI for us.....you must be some fool to ask me to go to UK....you sound white !!!!! with some issues not much !!!!!!......listen all we asking is safeguard somthing for our children, what is so wrong with that...with @$$e$ like you in this place our future not going to be good.....now get a life !!!!!!
If your gripe is that there are whites in the marine community, you sound like a person that will struggle to achieve anywhere. Take your vex vex and do something positive .
What are you drinking?