Government is continuing with its efforts at strengthening standards in the tourism and hospitality sectors following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort to implement the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort Tourism Scholarship in Virgin Gorda.

Delivering remarks during the signing ceremony on April 23, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE stated, “In 2012, my Government started a conversation with Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort to partner in developing the human resources of this Territory in the areas of hospitality and tourism.”

The Premier added, “This initial conversation has blossomed into a Memorandum of Understanding to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands, specifically BVIslanders living and working on Virgin Gorda.”

 Premier Smith stated that the agreement is meant to stimulate young people’s interest and encouraged them to think about a career in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“It is important for us to build a cadre of professionally trained and educated BVIslanders to manage the growth and development of the tourism sector,” Premier Smith stated.

Asset Manager of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort, Ms. Jackie Brown echoed the sentiments of Premier Smith, and underscored the value of the partnership to the Rosewood brand and to Virgin Gorda.

She said, “Today, we are extremely happy that the Government and Little Dix Bay have agreed to a plan of action to invest in the citizens of the British Virgin Islands to pursue opportunities in hospitality education and today’s signing represents the start of putting that plan into action so that the community of Virgin Gorda can begin benefitting now.”

The Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort Tourism Scholarship will be managed and administered by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) Scholarship Committee. The Memorandum of Understanding will provide one four-year undergraduate scholarship, or one postgraduate scholarship at Johnson and Wales University in Miami, Florida, leading to a degree in tourism or hospitality.

Upon graduation, awardees would be expected to return to Virgin Gorda to take up a position in a tourism and/or hospitality related business. In addition, a one-time internship of six months with one or more Rosewood properties, at one of its worldwide locations, will be provided.

The following criteria must apply: Candidates must be a BVIslander and resident of Virgin Gorda for the past 10 years. Candidates should be between 18 to 35 years of age and produce proof of acceptance from Johnson and Wales University.  Candidates must be pursuing a career in tourism and/or hospitality to then be able to contribute to the Virgin Islands the knowledge and expertise gained.             

In addition, candidates must be pursuing majors in tourism management, tourism planning and development, tourism marketing, sustainable tourism development, tourism e-commerce, tourism education, hospitality management, culinary arts, or another tourism and hospitality related major.    

Persons interested in obtaining additional information about the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort Tourism Scholarship may contact the BVI Tourist Board Human Resources Director, Ms. Carleen Penn, by calling 494-3134.

The Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort Tourism Scholarship is expected to strengthen the core of the BVI’s tourism product and its brand by ensuring that BVIslanders and Belongers are equipped to deal with the rapid growth of commerce.  Through this initiative, young professionals will be exposed to the versatile tourism and hospitality industry, and be able to compete on the world’s stage and set trends for generations to come.