Managing Director of the BVI Tourist Board Mr Clive L. McCoy (right) speaking with Information Officer Giovanni Herbert, at the 40th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach, Florida. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Islands delegation at Seatrade Cruice Global 2025 was led by Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Communications and Works. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Cruise ship visitors to the Virgin Islands amounted to 768,293 in 2024 compared to 719,519 in 2023, a 6.8% increase. Photo: VINO/File

Speaking with Information Officer Giovanni M.S. Herbert at the 40th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, Florida, Mr McCoy said, “Cruise is growing globally, and anything that happens globally, the British Virgin Islands is affected by it.”

He said mid-sized ships now hold 4500 people, which is the average ships normally seen coming to the VI. 

“So, what Seatrade allows us to do is to have a glimpse of what is happening globally and give us an opportunity to prepare for what is happening so that we can have a sustainable tourism sector in the BVI.”

Sustainability is key- Mr Clive L. McCoy

Mr McCoy, who was a panellist at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, said maintaining the number of visitors who come to the Territory is a priority. 

He said a Tourism Policy is currently in the works, and cruise will be a “significant” part of the discussions as it relates to “putting things in place to manage sustainability within the territory”. 

Mr McCoy said that while he wants as many visitors as possible to come to the VI, “If we can't sustain the experience or sustain our natural environment for future generations, then it is a loss for the BVI.”

Once completed, he added, the tourism policy will incorporate a heavy emphasis on how cruise visitors are managed along with overnight visitors. 

“[It] is going to put us in a position to have things in place for the increase in cruise visitors in the BVI.”

The VI delegation was led by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) and included several others, namely Mr McCoy and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4). 

The event was held at the Miami Beach Convention Centre from April 7 to 10, 2025.

Growing cruise tourism numbers

The Virgin Islands tourism sector achieved another milestone in 2024, with the welcoming of over one million visitors to the Territory.

According to the Central Statistics Office, total tourist arrivals surged to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8% increase compared to 994,896 in 2023.

Cruise ship visitors amounted to 768,293 in 2024 compared to 719,519 in 2023, a 6.8% increase.