Madam Speaker, November is Tourism Month in the British Virgin Islands and I am extending a special invitation to all Members and residents to participate in the celebrations planned by the BVI Tourist Board.

The Cruise Pier project is making great strides. The project has seen tremendous changes and from our last video presentation, buildings 2 and 3 are complete and were signed over to the BVI Ports Authority.

The British Virgin Islands has seen an increase in the number of visitors to the Territory this year, with initial tourism figures up by three percent over last year, signaling positive growth in the industry.

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is excited to share news that Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda have earned the top rankings in Travel + Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best Awards. Jost Van Dyke was awarded the No. 2 spot while Virgin Gorda followed in the No. 3 ranking this year for Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. These spots were awarded based on surveys conducted by readers who marked their rankings based on natural attractions, beaches, activities, sites, restaurants, food, people, friendliness, and value.

The “Cruise Pier Celebration Highlights” video is now available. 

In February 2012, I was invited to be a guest at a meeting of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association FCCA, where I was told, that the state of affairs at the cruise pier in the British Virgin Islands needed urgent attention, if we were to remain competitive in the global cruise tourism industry.

Good afternoon:

This morning around 6:30 a.m. visibility was not particularly good, but as I made out the Norwegian Getaway making her way to Road Harbour, in front of Salt Island and Cooper, my heart skipped a beat. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the expansion of our cruise pier and the soon to be completed land-side development, is most certainly one of the greatest accomplishments for this Government, the Ministry of Communications and Works and our National Democratic Party Government, to date

A new beginning for the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands was declared today, as the newly expanded Cruise Pier was officially opened.

I acknowledge the protocol already established.

Ladies and gentleman, honoured guests.

It gives me great pleasure to extend congratulations to the BVI Government and the people of the British Virgin Islands on the occasion of the opening of the New Cruise Ship Pier.