Madam Speaker, permit me to update this Honourable House and by extension the general public, on The State of the Cruise Industry in the Virgin Islands.

Dreams can come to reality, even in the face of adversity. Pastor Devon Penn, a son of the soil and his family, were forced to relocate to New York after the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed their family home. 

The British Virgin Islands hosted a week-long celebration dedicated to the splendors of BVI cuisine at The Rum Kitchen from March 17 to 23.  The Rum Kitchen, is a popular Caribbean restaurant located at All Saints Road in London, United Kingdom. The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board UK team were excited to welcome Londoners to experience a menu of traditional dishes that surprised and delighted guests with each soulful bite. All dishes were prepared by popular BVI cook, Mrs. Cynthia George of The Sugar Apple Restaurant, Virgin Gorda, who visited London for the event. Guests were greeted warmly with rum punches, Pusser’s Rum Painkillers and the famous, personable BVI hospitality during the week.

Unfortunate events present opportunities for growth.  The outpouring of love the Territory received after Hurricanes Irma and Maria yielded new seeds – Seeds of Love.  The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is spreading love in the BVI through its global “Seeds of Love” initiative. The campaign aims at replanting the islands’ indigenous trees and vegetation destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria whilst preventing erosion and protecting the ecosystem, the very thing that makes the tourism product unique.  Environmental preservation is vital to ensuring that the destination lives up to the environmental image of unspoiled landscapes that resound with the tag line, “Nature’s Little Secrets”.

The Premier’s Office in collaboration with the BVI Tourist Board will be hosting a two session meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 as part of a series of Hotel Aid Workshops.

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is now headquartered on the 3rd floor of Geneva Place on Wickham’s Cay I. 

Thriving in times of rapid change requires versatility and agility of individuals.  These are the ingredients of success within any organization. During the hurricane recovery process, the Premier’s Office recognized the need to strengthen the linkage between the tourism and hospitality public and private sector, with a view to expediting the recovery of the industry. 

The Territory is continuing cleanup efforts in preparation for the return of the Norwegian and Disney Cruise lines.

Assuring that guests to the British Virgin Islands have an excellent guest service experience is a high priority of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITB).  As a demonstration of that commitment, the Board has ensured that four of its employees were trained under the Hospitality Assured (HA) Programme; two as advisors and two as assessors.

Have you ever experienced British Virgin Islands cuisine aboard a cruise ship?