Gov’t ‘disappointed’ VI featured in Fodor's No List 2025
Those who have publicly expressed their pessimism about increased cruise tourism in the VI include Opposition Member Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) and Sharon P. Flax-Brutus, who are both known for their criticism of the VIP Government.
Fodor’s ‘No List’, which aims to highlight ‘destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities’, has expressed concern that the “emphasis on cruise tourism is keeping tourist dollars out of resident’s hands, and the 13-year wait for a comprehensive tourism plan has left locals skeptical that improvements in development and infrastructure are on the horizon.”
Fodor's takes wind of public criticism against increased tourism arrivals
Fodor’s used public comments from Hon Walwyn and Flax-Brutus, among others, to justify VI being put on the ‘No List’ for 2025.
It said Hon Walwyn recently argued in the House of Assembly that “the sort of trickle-down you are looking for on land to the local restaurants and the car rental agencies—you are not getting that.”
Fodor’s also quoted the former director of the BVI Tourist Board, Flax-Brutus, who warned that the existing infrastructure will not be able to handle the growing tourist numbers. “One of the major challenges that we have in tourism, and we’ve had it for a lot of years, is that we don’t plan enough,” she told Speak Out BVI. “We don’t consider all the factors. We tend to look at the pros but forget the cons.”
According to the Fodor’s No List 2025, one key issue is the overwhelming focus on cruise tourism. It pointed out that in the first half of 2024, the VI saw a record number of visitors, driven largely by a post-pandemic surge in cruise ship passengers. The first six months of 2024 set a new tourism record, with over 683,000 visitors, a 17% increase from the same period in 2023.
Fodor’s said cruise ship passengers now account for about 72% of total tourist arrivals. In contrast, overnight visitor numbers remain nearly 24% below their 2017 peak of 243,000. This shift, according to Fodor’s, is raising red flags, particularly as cruise tourists tend to spend less money locally compared to resort guests, who have historically brought in the bulk of tourism revenue.
Gov't 'disappointed'- Premier
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), at a press conference today, November 26, 2024, said the Government of the Virgin Islands “is disappointed” that the editors of Fodor's No List 2025 believe travellers should reconsider visiting in the coming year.
“We remain a destination of choice because visitors enjoy our unmatched sailing waters, beautiful environment and usually uncrowded beaches.”
He said the Vi continues to take steps to ensure tourism is environmentally sustainable, including through the beach management his government is implementing.
“As a tourism destination, cruise tourism is an important dimension of our tourism sector.”
Dr Wheatley said he was very pleased that with the $100 million loan recently secured, his government will be able to improve the road infrastructure that will help alleviate traffic congestion and ensure the smooth flow of traffic from which everyone will benefit.”
VI Gov't 'firmly committed to sustainable tourism'
Meanwhile, Fodor’s No List 2025 quoted Dr Shannon Gore, a member of the Climate Change Trust Fund Board and managing director of the BVI Association of Reef Keepers, as stating that although the government levies an environmental fee of $10 on tourists to fund the Climate Change Board and the National Parks Trust, the funds–worth $12.3 million–are still tied up, their distribution hampered by political foot-dragging.
“The environmental levy we currently collect has accumulated financial resources to implement targeted sustainability measures. The Virgin Islands is firmly committed to sustainable tourism and has the ambition to become a world leader in this space and to be a model for others to follow. This will be included in the National Tourism Policy and Plan to be developed that will guide the Government’s approach to the tourism sector,” Dr Wheatley stated.
Click HERE to view Fodor’s No List 2025
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