Ladies and gentlemen, this journey began less than one year ago, on May 8, 2014 when we broke ground for the expansion of this cruise pier project. At that time, I promised you a new day for our tourism product.

Wednesday, April 29 is a historic day for the Territory when the Government of the Virgin Islands officially opens and celebrates the expansion of the Cruise Pier.  

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.

In 2012, my Government started a conversation with Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort to partner in developing the human resources of this Territory in the areas of hospitality and tourism.

This initial conversation which has blossomed into a memorandum of understanding to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands, specifically BVIslanders living and working on Virgin Gorda. I see as important for several reasons:

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting the public to The Official Celebration of the Expansion of the Cruise Pier on April 29 at 4:00 p.m.

The lengthening, widening and strengthening of the pier to host larger ships, is complete and it is time to celebrate this momentous milestone in Virgin Islands history.

Complimentary ferry service to the event for residents of the Sister Islands will be available at the following times:

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting the public to The Official Celebration of the Expansion of the Cruise Pier on April 29 at 4:00 p.m.

The lengthening, widening and strengthening of the pier to host larger ships, is complete and it is time to celebrate this momentous milestone in Virgin Islands history.

Complimentary ferry service to the event for residents of the Sister Islands will be available at the following times:

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting the public to the Official Celebration of the Cruise Pier Expansion on April 29 at 4:00 p.m.

The lengthening, widening and strengthening of the pier to host larger ships, is complete and it is time to celebrate this momentous milestone in Virgin Islands history.

Complimentary ferry service to the event for residents of the Sister Islands will be available at the following times:

Premier and Minister for Tourism, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, is currently away from the Territory today leading a delegation to New York to advance the Territory’s tourism efforts as a prime destination in the global marketplace.

In an effort to assist with enhancing the tourism product, the BVI Taxi and Livery Commission are partnering with the Aquila Group, to conduct an international certification programme designed to train tour guides in the cruise industry.