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BVI Tourist Board to manage VI Festival & Fairs Committee

- as Cabinet approves transfer of functions
The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the transfer of the functions of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) to the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB). Photo: BVITB/VIF&FC/Facebook
Premier and Minister responsible for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the transfer of management of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee to the BVI Tourist Board is another step of integrating our culture into the tourism product with the transfer of responsibilities for organising ‘our national festivals to the BVI Tourist Board’. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister responsible for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the transfer of management of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee to the BVI Tourist Board is another step of integrating our culture into the tourism product with the transfer of responsibilities for organising ‘our national festivals to the BVI Tourist Board’. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the transfer of the functions of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) to the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB).

The transfer, according to a press release from Government Information Service on January 26, 2024, is aimed at further incorporating elements of the Virgin Islands culture and heritage, into the tourism product towards promoting experiential tourism opportunities.

Integrating culture into tourism product- Premier Wheatley

Premier and Minister responsible for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said “We have taken another step of integrating our culture into our tourism product with the transfer of responsibilities for organising our national festivals to the BVI Tourist Board.”

The Premier said the transfer is also representative of a strategic realignment in the management and promotion of cultural events and festivals in the Virgin Islands. He said the change intends to improve efficiency, coordination, and transparency in several key areas including fiscal management and reporting and coordination of marketing and promotion.

Premier Wheatley added, “They now have the responsibility of executing well-planned and promoted events which will celebrate our culture, attract, educate, and entertain our visitors and residents and provide the structure necessary for accountability and transparency.”

Functions of Committee

Functions of the Festival and Fairs Committee include preparation, conducting and managing annual festivals and entertainment activities, initiating cultural and recreational activities and encouraging public participation in those activities and advise the Minister responsible for the subject on policy issues relating to the conduct of festivals and other cultural activities in the Territory.

The committee was traditionally comprised of volunteers appointed by the Minister and was empowered to receive public funds in the performance of its activities. Notwithstanding the transferal of responsibilities, the BVI Tourist Board will continue to rely on the assistance of volunteers to undertake major activities.

The Department of Culture is also envisaged to be a significant agent in the overall management of the matter of festivals and fairs in the Territory, the press release stated.

12 Responses to “BVI Tourist Board to manage VI Festival & Fairs Committee”

  • Bree (26/01/2024, 16:44) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    While I understand why this was done, I'm wondering if this is a good move. The problem with the VI Festival basic accountability. Noone wants to be held accountable for all that went wrong there. Every year the contribution from government increases but at the end people still complaining about not being paid. Monies go missing and a proper financial statement has yet to be made public. I'm hoping by moving this under the Tourist Board there will be accountability, most if not all this foolishness will be eliminated. I'm also hoping that activities will be family oriented, starts on time and will plan.
  • TIDYING UP (26/01/2024, 17:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOOKS LIKE HE MAKING AN EFFORT ON CLEANING HIS BACKYARD AND IT SHOULDN'T STOP THERE ????
    • Realistic Thinker (26/01/2024, 23:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I thought that is the front yard that the cleaning should first be starting at them after move move to the back, but according to the kind of vulgar sexicised behaviors I was told took place in the streets of Road town last year only God can fix that. Pastors prayer for political leaders, political leaders continuing on the same path deliberately is useless exercise. The BVI Tourist Board crooked, too. In addition, crooked pastors can't help change crooked leaders that have no intention to change their greedy mindset.
  • The watchdog (26/01/2024, 19:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a bad move
  • great move (26/01/2024, 20:57) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is a great move, it's working out well for the US Virgin Islands and will do the same for the BVI.
    • @Great move (26/01/2024, 22:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop looking at what the USVI is doing. It may work well for them but not the BVI. The BVI festival is not well planned or orginaze. Look how long it takes for the parade to start then when the parade start, people need to stop walking in between the troupes.
  • JUST A THOUGHT (27/01/2024, 08:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOULD THEY HAVE ALLOWED THE EXTRAVAGANT * FREE JAM * WHEN THAT MONEY COULD OF BEEN CHANNELED INTO SOMETHING ELSE THAT MORE IMPORTANT ?
  • horse fan (27/01/2024, 09:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about Horse racing?
  • Lb (27/01/2024, 10:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bad move. Tourist board isn’t ready to handle the additional department. It already don’t have any leadership or proper management in there. The events they currently did are lackluster like Lobster fest and this JVD dinner that everyone complains about. Spending a bunch of money to subsidize the ferry and still guaranteeing them more money . It take USVI many years to put the framework in place to move their Festival to their tourism. It also took more money to make that move. Had to hire way more staff. Now that it under Tourism nobody volunteering or doing anything for free. The cost of BVI festival will skyrocket! Why do this experiment now with our grand 70th around the corner? Tourism do not have the resources or skillset or manpower needed to properly manage such a significant portfolio. Nobody in there have that mix of skills. The current Director is a known failure and don’t have the respect of his staff or anybody in government or anybody in the industry. He don’t even go these events himself. This is a bad move!
  • reality (27/01/2024, 16:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is Another huge mistake the premier made. Whilst he wants to give his friend ( chairman of VIFFC) all the power to run the VI festivals he is obviously not looking at the common good of the territory. This guy already holds a full time job and now he’s given the additional task of managing the festivals. How is this possible and tell me exactly how these numerous roles are going to be executed? I perceive that the many friends and cronies will be appointed to serve on the different committees in order to get the monthly stipend minus their abilities and expertise to perform. This is sooooooo sad.


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