ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 12th, 2012 – Key tourism industry stakeholders have just concluded candid discussions at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium focusing on amicable ways of strengthening the Territory’s tourism market and product.

The agenda included looking at effective ways of strengthening the ‘Brand BVI’ product through deploying innovative marketing and public relations strategies and tactics; devising meaningful ways of extending the Territory’s reach and reaching the right clients; and enhancing the Territory’s product through infrastructural development and business support, among others.

In his welcoming remarks to set the tone for the public-private consultation, Premier and Minister for Tourism Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE invited stakeholders to engage in “free and frank discussions with the hope to re-energise and renew vigour in the tourism industry, which has traditionally set this Territory apart from the rest of the world.”

Premier Smith emphasised the critical role of the tourism industry on the Territory economy stating, “Tourism provides business opportunities and jobs to many of our people, it increases the flow of money into the Territory and it helps to keep the labour force vibrant. If we are to re-energise our economy, tourism will have to play a critical and significant role.”

In reinforcing Government’s commitment to the rescue and recovery of Tourism, Premier Smith said, “We cannot do it without you. We must begin thinking about repositioning the sector in order to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

The tourism minister informed the gathering that he has met with a number of leading property owners who have indicated their interest in investing.

He added that the Minister for Communications and Works and the Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board will be meeting with the Florida Cruise Line Association in the next several weeks on matters relating to the cruise industry.

Premier Smith said, “In the next several weeks, the Tourist Board will turn its attention to analysing the marketing strategy in our primary market in the United States and Europe, while at the same time, examining market opportunity in Canada and South America where the economies of Brazil, Chile and Argentina are doing well.”

Honourable Smith said he is pleased that both public and private sectors are coming together and are being active participants in strengthening the tourism sector.

“I have said this before; the time has come for the entire Territory to adopt the mantra that – Tourism is all our business. It must not be just the concern of the BVI Tourist Board and the Minister for Tourism. We need your help,” the premier concluded.

Over the next few weeks there will be a series of consultations throughout the Territory, focusing on different sectors of the economy spearheaded by Government ministers and their complementing ministries. The Government of the Virgin Islands continues to pride itself on building a ‘people Government’ through listening, collaboration, consultation and communication.

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