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Over 300,000 tourists have visited VI so far in 2011

Tourism is one of the two pillars of the VI. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Some 395,470 visitors visited the shores of the Virgin Islands between January and October 2011, data from the Development Planning Unit (DPU) has revealed.

While a breakdown of the tourist arrivals on a monthly basis was not immediately available to Virgin Islands News Online, DPU figures indicate that this year’s statistics is shy 114,304 to the 2010 numbers that totalled 509,810 as of December 2010.

However, an official in the BVI Tourist Board is optimistic that the November and December arrivals, when added up, will surpass the 2010 mark. “If you noticed, cruise ships are docked at the pier almost on a daily basis,” the official, who wishes to remain anonymous, pointed out.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr. D Orlando Smith and Minister for Tourism on Monday December 19, 2011 firmly stated that tourism is the largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Territory. He stressed that if his Government is to re-energize the economy, tourism will have to play a critical and significant role.

“Tourism today is in a state of free fall and what is required is a rescue and recovery strategy to halt the decline, stabilise the industry and return it to a path of long-term growth. This will by no means be an easy task and is compounded by the global economic climate; but it is so critical that failure is not an option,” he charged.

16 Responses to “Over 300,000 tourists have visited VI so far in 2011”

  • Devon O (21/12/2011, 08:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow will how the NDP say tourist sector was dead under VIP...look trouble
  • billy b (21/12/2011, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “Tourism today is in a state of free fall and what is required is a rescue and recovery strategy to halt the decline, stabilise the industry and return it to a path of long-term growth." Tourism must be in a state of free fall if all we have here to do is block traffic driving these tourists up and down watching nothing. We need some creative activity in the BVI to stimulate spending. Some of the tourists sometimes don't even want to take a taxi, dem rather walk, or take a lil scooter. The tourist dem don't even go on the beaches anymore, they drive around and hyce tail right back on the ship THERE'S NOTHING UNIQUE IN THE BVI TO SEE.
    • Let's wait and see (21/12/2011, 09:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Promises were made by the new Govt to implement measures to keep the tourists occupied when they visit. So let's just wait and see what they will accomplish.
      • unfair (21/12/2011, 15:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I can gaurantee that they were kept occupied today. They were busy holding their nose from the nasty stinge in Town
    • Greg (21/12/2011, 10:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The beautiful uncrowded beaches and the tranquility and clear waters for snorkeling are what attract the people here. The cruise ship crowds only degrades the quality of tourism here.
  • Geez (21/12/2011, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope we can surpass the figure for real
  • Jog (21/12/2011, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is true i am from here but there is nothing here to see. We need something like St. Marteen that keeps the tourists coming, spending and sticking around.
    • Greg (21/12/2011, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To have tourism like St. Maarten the BVI's will require a more Tourist oriented immigration service and restaurants with a positive, good natured and happy wait service.
    • billy b (21/12/2011, 15:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @jog, the best attraction we have here in the BVI after leaving the cruiseship dock in the old man with his donkey full au local flowers. We need to hire that old man for his creativity
  • tell the whole story (21/12/2011, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. Ward and Mr. Blyden were doing a great work but because of NDP dirty politics they are both out on dem head
    • haircut (22/12/2011, 01:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      dem waz bout politrick run dem out of office bosmman...wid NDP chattin crap
  • Release (21/12/2011, 14:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea tell dem as funny man Myron up and down saying VIP did nothing for the Tourism sector…BAM
  • jjjjj (21/12/2011, 15:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i do not beleive these numbers people
  • dem say (21/12/2011, 18:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to take the politics out of the tourism sector and get people who truly believe in the sector and knows what they are doing and free of politics. That is an impossible request!
  • E. Leonard (21/12/2011, 20:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the Tourist Board official's projection is correct, 2011 tourists arrivals are holding steady relative to 2010 and in spite of the world-wide economic down turn. Tourism is one-half of the BVI's economic twin pillar; financial services the other. It is a major employer and a major source of government revenues. Nonetheless, according to a quote attributed to the Premier, tourism is in a state of free fall and in need of a rescue and recovery strategy. But the question is what strategy will be employed. Tourism is often marketed on sand, sea, and sun but most of our regional competitors can boast of having the same; we need to diversify and improve our competitiveness. Further, we need to improvement transportation, infrastructure, activities/entertainment, accommodations, attractions, visitor experience(mass tourism may not always be better; diminishing marginal return) and marketing to improve and enhance competitiveness. Though tourism is major employer, many critics believe that its benefits do not extend too as many citizens as it can and should. Workers are paid low wages while national elites and external investors often reap major profits. The tourism sector need to link other sectors such as fishing, agriculture, poultry, culture.....etc to enhance benefits. Additionally, leakages need to be reduced, as well as improving income and employment multipliers.


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