More focus on Tourism needed- Hon Hodge-Smith
Hon Hodge-Smith was speaking during a post budget interview with government information officers.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley presented the national budget on Monday, November 11, 2024, in the amount of four hundred and eighty-eight million, six hundred and ninety-nine thousand, eight hundred and seventy-one dollars ($488,699,871.00).
There’s a threat with Financial Services- Hon Hodge-Smith
Hon Hodge-Smith said tourism and the Financial Services Sector has been driving the Territory’s economy for decades however, there is a threat with the Financial Services Sector.
“We brought quite a bit of bills to the House of Assembly that needed to be urgently passed in order to safeguard our Financial Services Sector. So, there’s a threat with the Financial Services Sector so we have to focus a lot more on our tourism
Tourism she added does not only include sun, sea and sand but the VI’s culture and history
So that’s where culture and tourism comes in and to help sustain our tourism sector. We have to diversify it, we have to attract different types of visitors
Tourism Plan coming
Meanwhile the Junior Minister revealed the promised Tourism Plan for the VI will be coming soon.
“I know it was promised this year but we’re definitely going to be working on it as soon as possible. We already have connections with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation so we that we can start to plan to bring forward our tourism plan,” Hon Hodge-Smith said.
She added that everybody in the tourism industry as well as those who are interested will have an input in the Territory’s tourism plan before moving forward.
“We need to sustain ourselves, we need to of course enhance our products,” she stated.
.png)
Follow Us On
29 Responses to “More focus on Tourism needed- Hon Hodge-Smith ”
“I know it was promised this year but we’re definitely going to be working on it as soon as possible. We already have connections with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation so we that we can start to plan to bring forward our tourism plan,”
D4 Rep. has not been repping at all! What have you tangibly contributed since you were elected to SERVE the people?
I am waiting on your kind response D4 rep! The City of RT is a muddy,dirty run-down place...
I don't nor should anyone expect "Good Governance for the people of the British Virgin Islands, but much better is within hand reach, if our political Leaders and many others would first curb their craving, lustful, greedy mindset.
It is not ethnical diversities that have us stiffled, it is the majority of the people extreme greedy mindset, religious leaders and some low earners, too.
God loves everyone, but he can't tolerate living nor lifeless idols.
Righteousness exults a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any (people's best interest) people.
Yes, tourism and financial services are the twin pillars of the VI economy. Financial services provides approximately 60% of government revenue. Nevertheless, tourism provides more directly, indirect and induced employment. Undoubtedly, if financial services take a major hit, service delivery will also take a major hit , so financial services needs to be shored up.,Nonetheless, tourism needs to deepen, strengthen , etc.. The economy needs to diversified. The blue economy needed to be fueled and ramped up. We an economy that if one sector stumbles the whole enchilada does not tumble. What is the probability of one-half of the economic twin pillars stumbling?
"I am waiting on your kind response D4 rep! The City of RT is a muddy,dirty run-down place..." Rip Van Winkle.
If you are a keen observer you will recognize that.
Has it occured to you and others who are bashing Luce Hodge-Smith that she inherited a muddy, dirty and run down place? The district has been that way for 49 + years. I know this and you know this. Has it occured to you that the run down eyesore properties in Road Town belongs to private people who don't take care of their properties? You can extend that to the rest of the $%# virgin islands. Problem is we want things fix now. Fix immediately. Fix without planning, fix without money or even voluntary contributions and we the people are some of the biggest problems. We must be keen to pay attention to the role some of us play in creating some of the said problems. That garbage strewn all over didn't happen by osmosis. You think Luce Hodge- Smith decided one day to dump garbage, sewerage, vice, gambling, prostitution, slop and other mess in Road Town,Road Town? In the next few days chip in with helping to clean up Da City. Looking forward to seeing you.