Tourism ‘glass is more than half full’- Hon Dr Dawson
Dr Dawson was giving his contribution to the 2025 budget debate during the Continuation of the Twenty-first Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on December 18, 2024, when he described the over 400 million dollars budget presented by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R1) in November 2024, as one of significant size able to meet its obligations.
“It has continued to meet our obligations as far as debt is concerned. Being able to service the debt, that is always encouraging. It says that the budget and the finances are robust enough to meet our obligations and even as we had to go into the market to gain more funds for particularly capital projects in the main, we were in a position enough to be able to do so and move forward,” he stated.
‘Better days ahead’- Dr Dawson
Dr Dawson added that it takes time to get things going and to get them right, reminding members of the period last year, 2023, when they were “trying to set up the Ministry of Tourism”.
Fast forward to 2024, Dr Dawson said, “We are in a position now where we can see much more clearly the way forward for them as far as staffing. And I believe that will pay dividends for us as far as a tourism product is concerned by having a team that is more focused on planning, more focused on implementation outside of the work of the BVI Tourist Board.”
He proceeded to say he believes there are better days ahead for tourism.
“As I listened to some speakers this afternoon it seems as if we were in a downward slide,” he said adding that while he is not alluding that everybody is doing well, “some small businesses, through tourism are benefitting”.
Tourism glass ‘more than half full’- Dr Dawson
The Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries went on to say that the public should not be given the impression that the VI’s tourism product is failing.
“When we look at the figures presented to us by the BVI Airports Authority and the increase in persons coming through, they are staying. It’s not just cruise ship persons coming to our Territory Madam Speaker as some would have us believe, there are persons who [are] in the yachts, in the villas, in the hotels,” he stated.
Dr Dawson said it is clear, people are in fact coming to the Territory and for that, all should be grateful and glad.
“The glass is even more than half full as far as [the] tourism sector is concerned,” he said.
Things, Dr Dawson added, are happening in the Virgin Islands when it comes to investment in the tourism sector which speaks to the confidence investors have in the Territory.
“There is a place called the Virgin Islands where you can do business...and it’s worth investing your money because you will get a good return. And that’s what I believe we should all be in here fighting for, and when we see those positive signs that we can be pleased,” he said.
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15 Responses to “Tourism ‘glass is more than half full’- Hon Dr Dawson”
As for the Topic Statement: Tourism glass is more than half full.", 51% is more than half of 100%. You were a highly qualified College grade teacher, now a political Leader of the current VIP government. Since when 51% is acceptable? When you were one of our highly recconized did any college student that attended the now deceased Chief Minister,
Hon Lavity Hamilton Stout College got an examination grade pass of any number under 90%? No man, no, no, no, it did not happened, not in the pass, not present, nor will it happened in 2025 a beyond.
No hate from me man. Enjoy your life with you family under God's care
Love, peace, faith and righteousness.
No conscience.