Eight outstanding students from secondary schools across the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) will vie for the prestigious title of Junior Ambassador of Tourism on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Photo: BVITBFC

Naomi A. Onwufuju, centre, of Elmore Stoutt High School won the Junior Ambassador of Tourism title in 2023 and went on to win the regional title of Junior Minister for Tourism at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Youth Congress held in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Right is Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy. Photo: BVITBFC.

The competition, organised by the Training Department of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), will take place at UP’s Cineplex in Road Town at 2:00 PM.

The winner will have the honour of representing the Virgin Islands at the Annual Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress in the Cayman Islands from September 4 to 6, 2024.

Participants

Building on the momentum from last year's historic victory in the regional competition by Naomi A. Onwufuju of Elmore Stoutt High School, this year's competition marks another milestone: it will feature representatives from all eight secondary schools in the Territory, for the first time.

According to a press release from the BVITBFC, the competitors and their respective schools are Carey-Ann McKie of Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division; Soccorria Telseford of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School; Annabelle Maina of Cedar International School; A’Nia Turnbull of Ciboney Centre for Excellence; Asaud Smith of Claudia Creque Educational Centre; Adrianne Thomas of Elmore Stoutt High School; De-Andra Sylvera of St George’s Secondary School; and Brenique Deane of Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies.

"We have eight competitors this year, and we are ecstatic to see the outcome and the unique perspectives each student brings to the tourism table," said Mrs Natalie Penn-Lake, Standards and Training Manager at the BVITBFC and coordinator of the territorial competition.

Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy added, "This competition is a vital part of raising awareness about the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry among the public, especially the youth. It often generates great ideas and lively debate. Some participants also go on to pursue careers in tourism or become staunch tourism advocates."

Prizes up for grabs

The winner of the competition will receive a one-month internship at BVITBFC, $1000 cash, participation in the regional competition, a one-year tenure as CCT Brand Ambassador and a laptop. Other prizes for the finalists include iPads and other electronic gifts, and gift certificates for an ATV excursion on Jost van Dyke.

According to BVITBFC, this year’s competition is “generously” sponsored by Maria’s by the Sea Hotel, Infinite Solutions, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, CCT, Omar’s Fusion, SAID, Mobihub, Salt Life Adventure Sports, and BVITBFC.