The BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) is seeking to partner with hotels, villas and other businesses offering accommodation, to ensure guests are afforded a place to stay for the Long Walk To Freedom Concert weekend. Photo: BVITB/File

According to Deputy Director of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) Mr Rhodni A. Skelton, most of the major properties offering accommodation are already booked up and there is a need to have more options available for visitors to the Virgin Islands for the Long Walk To Freedom Concert on the weekend of June 15, 2019. Photo: VINO/File

The Long Walk To Freedom Concert featuring Jamaican artiste Buju Banton, born, Mark Anthony Myrie, to be held on June 15, 2019 at Festival Grounds is expected to draw some 8000 guests to the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

Interested persons are encouraged to call the BVI Tourist Board on 494-3134 or visit online at info@bvitourism.com.

According to Deputy Director of BVITB Mr Rhodni A. Skelton, most of the major properties offering accommodation are already booked up and there is a need to have more options available.

“We are acting sort of as a reservations agent and so we have a team at the Tourist Board calling around to all of the properties, villas, all of our marine partners, to see what accommodations they have… and we would have a running tab of what accommodations are available. You call in and we can point you in the right direction,” Mr Skelton related at the official launch of the Long Walk To Freedom Concert at Roadtown Wholesale Trading conference room on May 8, 2019.

Opportunity for partnership

Mr Skelton implored persons not to pass up on the opportunity to partner with the BVITB on the initiative.

“The BVI is the sailing capital of the world and we do have quite a lot of rooms and berths at sea.

In addition we are about to sign off on our partnership with Airbnb, some of the shared economy accommodations that we have out there. By all means we are encouraging folks to check out Airbnb, check out HomeAway…there are lots of services out there…”

The BVI Tourist Board Deputy Director also noted that accommodations will also be available on the outer islands and does not foresee any issues with the guests getting to the concert due to the “fairly reliable” ferry services available.

“It’s going to be tight. Some folks will have to bunk up a little bit and you may have to share your couch because everybody wants to be a part of this but we will find ways to host our guests,” Mr Skelton assured.