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Neil Blyden resigns as TB chairman!

November 15th, 2011 | Tags: Local Neil Blyden resign BVI Tourist Board Chairman
Blyden has been the chairman for less than a year. Photo: VINO
Partnering with talk show host Wendy Williams has received rave reviews by residents. She spent a few days in the Virgin Islands in October where she and a crew filmed several of the VI's hot spots.
Partnering with talk show host Wendy Williams has received rave reviews by residents. She spent a few days in the Virgin Islands in October where she and a crew filmed several of the VI's hot spots.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Information reaching this news agency is that Neil Blyden has resigned as chairman of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) since last week.

It is usually the custom that chairmen of boards tender their resignation whenever a new party takes office and according to sources, Mr. Blyden resigned on November 9, 2011.

When contacted by Virgin Islands News Online for a comment, Blyden, who is overseas, said “I do not wish to make a comment.”

The entrepreneur and promoter has been the driving force in aggressively marketing the Virgin Islands since his appointment last December, and his strategy “Brand BVI” has gotten rave reviews.

Just recently, the Board partnered with USA talk show host Wendy Williams, who has over the past few weeks on her Wendy Williams Show been promoting a “Watch and Swim” Sweepstakes whereby 20 lucky winners will win an all-expense paid, five-day vacation to the Virgin Islands (VI).

Blyden is no stranger to the Tourist Board, having served as Chairman from 1995-2000, and according to former Premier Ralph T O’Neal, he was ideal for the job given his extensive background in promotion and marketing coupled with his prior tourism related experience.

“I am confident that he will provide the visionary leadership needed to propel this vital industry to give its significance to our economic development,” the former Premier had stated.

Meanwhile, at his swearing in ceremony on Wednesday November 9, 2011 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, Premier Smith had told Virgin Islands News Online that he will be looking at the structure the TB’s board to make it more effective.

Tourism is one of the pillars of the Virgin Islands economy, and is seen by the new Government as a major way to generate revenues in a struggling economy.

35 Responses to “Neil Blyden resigns as TB chairman! ”

  • tourism (15/11/2011, 07:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank God. ou all going hear the drama soon. mismanagement of funds
  • well sa (15/11/2011, 07:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was very childish of him! It shows that he is not willing to work with who is there. That is what i call self centered.
    • Yo (15/11/2011, 18:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Chair serves at the pleasure of the Minister. The honorable thing to do when the Minister changes is to offer your resignation to the in coming Minister and allow him to exercise his prerogative should he so desire. Should the Minister wish him to continue to serve the resignation will not be accepted. Not childish, but standard protocol. Take note HSA Board
  • billyb (15/11/2011, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    my goodness, when will we be able to put country above self. Why everything has to be so political. Just because your party ain win, you have to resign???? Your job is about country, not party!!! yeesh
    • kevin (15/11/2011, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      why the hick you do not ask the NDP that?
    • Love you billyb (15/11/2011, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thanks for saying that billyb. OMG what a set of people we live with. At the end of the day, he knows what everyone else should be doing. What an awful thing to do.
  • release (15/11/2011, 07:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is sad as he was doing such a great job
  • karma (15/11/2011, 08:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess he running away from the potential investigations. But even a blind man can see that if your are the head of an organization you should not be hiring yourself to perform services for the same organization. I wonder how do you negotiate a price with yourself? He just made himself look guilty of something
    • qqqqq (15/11/2011, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you NDP bloggers mek me sick to my stomach...shameful Niel is a man of good integrity and should remain in the post...one of the best chairman we have ever had
      • WHY (15/11/2011, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        So why is he stepping down.
      • T2DB (15/11/2011, 12:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        LOL! So why is it when anybody asks a question they're labelled an NDP blogger? What does a VIP blogger sound like? Please enlighten me! LOL!
  • READ FIRST (15/11/2011, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of ya'll need to read before making really retarded comments and jumping to conclusions...the article says.. "It is usually the custom that chairmen of boards tender their resignation whenever a new party takes office and according to sources, Mr. Blyden resigned on November 9, 2011." ......it has nothing to do with whether his party lost or not...ya'll just outta control with this political nonsense now...give it a rest man.
    • zzzzzz (15/11/2011, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      people the election is over NDP just govern from still campaigning..or else come 2015 we will deal with you
  • READ FIRST (15/11/2011, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of ya'll need to read before making really retarded comments and jumping to conclusions...the article says.. "It is usually the custom that chairmen of boards tender their resignation whenever a new party takes office and according to sources, Mr. Blyden resigned on November 9, 2011." ......it has nothing to do with whether his party lost or not...ya'll just outta control with this political nonsense now...give it a rest man
  • DISRESPECT (15/11/2011, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Sa! This is not childish. This is the normal thing........persons in his position see it fitting to resign before being terminated. This is what is happening in the BVI. Just another day. You will hear alot more of this as the days go by.
  • righton (15/11/2011, 10:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why Neil?
  • u. smith (15/11/2011, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the victimization continues..I bit the funny man minister was behind tis.... remember to dig two holes boss
    • Crank Shaft (15/11/2011, 12:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you know what it means to resign? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!
    • Mmm (15/11/2011, 12:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Didn't say he was fired. He chose to resign didn't he?
    • PS (15/11/2011, 18:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ignorant fool! Who asked him to resign? Learn to think before you open your mouth.
  • Jog (15/11/2011, 12:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, Now this is rediculous! Neil was doing a fantastic job, I am so annoyed right now. Are you telling me I should be upset with myself for voting for NDP or what. Neil was doing good come on people!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Yep (15/11/2011, 12:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What does NDP have to do with the man resigning? seriously? Did it say anything about Tourism Minister asking him to? or did he do it on his own, geezzzzzz
  • loveann (15/11/2011, 13:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lynette needs to resign too, or she could ask for a transfer to Puerto Rico like what she did when the NDP was in. What a crook, she will take all the news back to Uncle Ralph.
  • hospitality worker (15/11/2011, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ah yuh don't know the thing! he knows why he resign! you will see the story unfold. It is not the he don't want to work with the NDP. There are secrets in the Tourist Board that u don't know that will be unfolded
  • hm (15/11/2011, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    most of the time when school chirrin say so its so! So much for him being for the country. Greedy corrupt azz!
    • insider (15/11/2011, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and he himself said that he was going to resign if the VIP was voted out!
  • Face It (15/11/2011, 19:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a normal thing for some chairmans of boards step down after a new government takes office, but what will be news is when the director gets her walking papers as well trust me it will happen dont be suprised.
  • Peter Crumble (15/11/2011, 19:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ask him abot TBs 3 million dollar payroll, he can now comfortably retire!
  • jerry springer (15/11/2011, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am ready to come to the bvi. The question is "Neil what is your reason for resigning from the TB?" Neil answer= I am afraid that Min. Funny Man may catch me from BEHIND so let me leave while I am in front. JERRY, JERRY, JERRY, JERRY!!!!lol
    • hnd (15/11/2011, 21:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Aww Jerry, don't you think you're so funny?! pun intended. If he's leaving while he's ahead, doesn't that mean his rear is exposed. What an ASSinine attempt at being humorous. Seems the funny man minister is taking his position serious. did you see the lovely remarks he prepared for the opening of culture week, with emphasis on getting youths involved. Quite lovely and included quite a bit of history. Next time maybe you should get steve to throw insults. You were always a P.O.S. jer'
  • Man on the Ground (15/11/2011, 20:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it is better to resign than to be told, you have to go.
  • We all know (15/11/2011, 23:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    that NDP would have removed him anyway... this is how it has worked in every election.. these are political positions... what's new


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