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VI can be a 'top destination' for entertainment tourism– Clive L. McCoy

A large crowd at Festival Grounds at the non-stop concert organised by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) to celebrate the successful June 1, 2923, launch of American Airlines (AA) non-stop service between Miami in the United States and the [British] Virgin Islands. The concert was held on June 30, 2023. Photo: JTV Channel 55
Director of Tourism at the BVI Tourist Board, Clive L. McCoy says the Virgin Islands (VI) can expect more entertainment tourism products to come, following the success of past recent events. Photo: Internet Source
Director of Tourism at the BVI Tourist Board, Clive L. McCoy says the Virgin Islands (VI) can expect more entertainment tourism products to come, following the success of past recent events. Photo: Internet Source
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said as part of tourism diversifying moves, Tourists and business travelers interested in the Virgin Islands (VI) as a travel destination, can expect more concerts and events. Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said as part of tourism diversifying moves, Tourists and business travelers interested in the Virgin Islands (VI) as a travel destination, can expect more concerts and events. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Director of Tourism Mr Clive L. McCoy says the Virgin Islands (VI) has the potential to become a top destination in the world for entertainment tourism.

Mr McCoy was at the time speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on the recently concluded Christmas in July event held on Virgin Gorda on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

“The BVI can look forward to more events… We realised that entertainment tourism is something that is becoming more popular around the world and we think that we have a great product here.”

He said, in response, the Tourist Board will move to “put on more events, more music festivals, and with the proper planning and marketing you know we can be one of the top destinations in the world to make it happen.”

Travelers want more from vacation - Dr Wheatley 

This comes as Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said as part of tourism diversifying moves, tourists and business travelers interested in the Virgin Islands (VI) as a travel destination can expect more concerts and events.

Premier Wheatley made the statement during the Thursday, June 29, 2023, Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA).

The Premier detailed that industry trends are showing travelers want more out of their vacation and are looking for cultural experiences and adventures that synthesize with the VI's recently approved Virgin Islands Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategy. 

“This is where concerts and other events factor into the strategy, the benefits from a more vibrant and diverse BVI tourism industry will ripple across the length and breadth of our economy and will provide sustainable employment for our people,” he added. 

16 Responses to “VI can be a 'top destination' for entertainment tourism– Clive L. McCoy”

  • Youth (25/07/2023, 11:46) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    Agreed. Keeping pushing forward with the good work at tourist board.
    • Why?????????? (25/07/2023, 15:37) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why are incompetent/unethical people and puppets leading some of these organizations?

      Interview the Tourist Board staff and see whether a change in leadership is URGENTLY needed for several reasons.
  • more (25/07/2023, 11:52) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    “ Travelers want more from vacation”

    Legal weed in New York City yet come to Caribbean BVI to be specific and get locked up abroad. At best score harsh laced weed. how’s that sound for a top recreational destination?
  • I laugh (25/07/2023, 12:00) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    To drive on these roads and then can’t get water to bathe to go the shows?
    Be real
  • bvi (25/07/2023, 12:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Kenny needs ur job
  • Really? (25/07/2023, 12:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    With the astronomical cost of transportation to the BVI and the limited beds we have at affordable prices (Maria's is almost always booked out) who is our target audience?
  • It's a numbers game. (25/07/2023, 12:55) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    While 1500 persons basking to the sounds and rythm of the entertainment performance at the festival ground recently, it's the numbers that will make the difference. Perhaps rather than getting excited and taking a wild guess at the possibility of putting on regular exciting and high energery events recall that the Music Fest lasted only short while after the first event. Festival itself in the aftermath leaves trying to figure out the profits after the event. Same thing with the Horst Races at Sea Cows Bay The track right now is closed due to misunderstandings or money issues. Hére are some questions to ponder. Now that there are direct flights between the US nd Beef Island would It be practical to expect music fans to take a flight costing a thousand plus to travel to Tola and check into a bill or hotel costing upward of 200 per night. What is the true cost to import artists into the BVI, airline, musical equipment, sea Nd ground transportation plus fees?. Food for thought. BviMo d, OneBvk
  • Nincompoops (25/07/2023, 12:57) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's with these fools and entertainment tourism? It seems to be their only focus..
  • Ha Ha (25/07/2023, 13:06) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are right ‘it can be’ let that be the goal. Until then it is the slums.
  • Jane (25/07/2023, 13:32) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    You need to understand your demographic of visitors here: they tend to be wealthy, white Americans. These people do not want Konshens, they want Jimmy Buffett. The Non-Stop Concert didn't feature artists that our tourist visitors would typically want to see, which was one of many reasons why that event was a total joke.
    • Agree Partially (25/07/2023, 14:16) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      I kinda agree with your proposal, but just for information and argument purposes, Jimmy and band starts at a cool $1m to book, and that doesn't include his rider cost (stage, instruments, equipment), travel cost, promotion or accommodation.

      JVD tossed around the idea of booking their good "friend" Kenney Chesney for years, but a discount on $2m isn't much of a help when your ticket sales are topping out at 500 persons. Burna Boy is $500k plus private jet and other costs.

      You see my point. This is why we got Konshens, and why we will continue to focus on booking regional artists, or washed up American acts (vis-a-vis Ginuwine lol). The BVI cannot support this new idea of a "revenue stream" - period. We dont have the infrastructure (travel, accommodations, activities.

      Government is always putting themselves into situations they have no business or experience in. First they were realtors with the Joes hill project, now they want to be event promotors. We all can look up on the hill and see how the former situation played out.

      • Jane (26/07/2023, 10:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Agree Partially - you are completely right, Jimmy Buffett is too expensive, I just threw that name out as one which people might recognize. My point is the music offering has to be of a genre which our visitors would travel for: so for example, "old school reggae" or country music. They do not need to be big names like Buffet or Chesney. We could also look at different arts festivals: for example, a Caribbean Literary Festival, or Folklore and Story-Telling Festival. what about a Comedy Festival? I have also thought about whether we could close off some of our roads so that there could be a bike race (think the Isle of Man TT). We just need an ounce of creativity from the Tourist Board who are frankly a total waste of time.
        • Agree Partially (26/07/2023, 11:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Sounds like they need to offer you a "consultancy". They are good at handing those out - but yes I agree those are good ideas, and would require significantly less capital thrown at them for a higher return than "entertainment tourism".
        • This is gret. (26/07/2023, 11:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          VI Rally (on Anegada's northern roads.). Plenty of unpaved roads and sideways corners for Dakar rally vehicles. And those racing teams have the capital to make it here with their support staff. The entry fee for the race alone is $30k, and the cars cost $500k to $1m each with millions in R&D.
  • Top destination (25/07/2023, 13:41) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    VI can be top destination for free circuses. We have all the clowns.
  • hmm (25/07/2023, 14:07) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    With no concert hall or established venue..we have a car park which gets converted once a year. Come on maan. Truly invest in culture and perhaps.


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