The 2024 Junior Ambassador of Tourism is Miss Adrianne Thomas, 2nd from left, of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). 3rd from left is Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) and right is Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy. Photo: BVITBFC

The 2024 Junior Ambassador of Tourism, organised by the Training Department of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), took place at UP’s Cineplex in Road Town on Wednesday, June 15, 2024. Photo: BVITBFC

Third-place winner Soccorria Telesford of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School receives her trophy from 2023 Junior Ambassador of Tourism Naomi A. Onwufuju, left. Photo: BVITBFC

The debating competition, organised by the Training Department of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), took place at UP’s Cineplex in Road Town on Wednesday, June 15, 2024.

Thomas got the judges' nod to ensure the title was retained by ESHS. Last year’s winner was Naomi A. Onwufuju, who 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.

Miss Thomas will receive a one-month internship at BVITBFC, $1000 cash, 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.

Thomas to rep VI @ Regional Competition

Meanwhile, Thomas 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.

Second place on Wednesday was won by Cary-Ann McKie of Bregado Flax Educational Centre - Secondary Division.

The third-place position was taken by Soccorria Telesford of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School.

Sponsors for the competition were 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 BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITBFC).