Gov’t moves to create national tourism policy

The government is embarking on a comprehensive initiative to develop a National Tourism Policy and Plan to steer the BVI’s tourism sector towards sustainable growth and economic resilience.

The government’s decision follows the inaugural Tourism Summit on Peter Island last week. The event convened over 330 stakeholders, including tourism experts and industry leaders. During his keynote address, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley emphasised tourism’s importance to the territory. “Tourism remains a vital pillar of our economy, providing employment, stimulating business development, and enhancing the standard of living for all,” he said. “As we strive to sustain this industry, we must do so with a shared vision and collective responsibility.”

The summit served as a platform to explore strategies for advancing the tourism sector, focusing on sustainability, cultural integration, and economic empowerment. Key initiatives discussed included investing in sustainable practices to protect the territory’s pristine environment, empowering local communities through the introduction of the Tourism Investment Programme for Micro Enterprises (TIP ME) to support local businesses, and enhancing the visitor experience by upgrading infrastructure, incorporating modern technology, and providing specialised training.