Madam Speaker, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic we are even more keenly aware of the significant linkages between the health and tourism sectors, and the importance of both sectors to our economy and society. For the tourism industry to be sustainable, it is important to effectively manage any negative health impacts on the Territory, in order to protect both the local population and the industry.  Ensuring sustainability is also an essential component of economic development and maintaining and improving the quality of life in small islands.

Madam Speaker, over the weekend, I made an announcement pertaining to the change in some of the requirements for foreign based charter vessels.

The Virgin Islands will be observing the Third Annual Culture and Tourism Month next month under the theme “The Past is Present: Embracing Virgin Islands Traditions.

Madam Speaker, I wish to provide a brief report to this Honourable House on the Government's continuing efforts to increase airlift to the Virgin Islands so that we can make traveling easier and more affordable for all our residents and visitors, which is important to our tourism industry and our economy.

Madam Speaker, the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, by board resolution in November of 2019, decided to register a company in Miami, Florida.
The purpose of that company, named the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) LLC, was to enable the BVI Ports Authority to rent office space in the Miami area to provide an outreach location for its cruise business. In addition, it was decided that the office space could also host the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI Shipping Registry.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer has said that he was pleased with the positive reviews on the outlook of the Cruise Tourism Industry at this year’s annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer, and other Government officials are featured as they attended the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference hosted by the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo on October 11 to14.

A pleasant good afternoon to the members of the press corps, fellow Virgin Islanders, persons viewing online and listening via radio.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley is away from the Territory from September 12 to 20 attending the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Cayman Event 2022 in the Cayman Islands.

Premier and Minister for Tourism Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has hailed the recent X-Mas in July event as a “major success” and said these types of events contribute to the Territory’s changing tourism ‘off’ season.