ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 10th, 2012 -- Ladies and gentlemen, you would recall in December of 2003, during my first term in Government when I served as Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism, I issued a mandate to small property owners to strengthen the hospitality sector by forming an association.
A critical objective of this association was to bridge the gap between the Government and small properties. In other words, this was a strategic way to strengthen the public-private partnership.
Five months later, we witnessed the launch of the BVI Tourist Accommodation Properties (TAP) Association which signaled a new beginning for our tourism product.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased that this association is still together especially since you represent 30 percent of accommodations in the Territory.
In 2003, we envisioned the formation of the association as a way to help provide opportunities for our people. We believed that economic empowerment and enfranchisement of small businesses were key elements of our strategy to create full employment. And we firmly believed that small businesses were the foundation of any economy.
Now nine years later, we are of the same mindset when we say; small businesses are the lifeblood and financial drivers of the economy.
We are of the same mindset when we say; economic empowerment and small business development are major priorities.
And, we are of the same mindset when we say; developing our tourism product is about the public and private sectors committing to each other to improve the hospitality sector.
A few months ago during my Government’s Budget Address, and when I addressed the business community during the Business BVI Conference, I spoke about our economic agenda which outlines several strategies to ensure economic empowerment for all.
I also said at that time that Government would be calling more on the private sector to help stimulate the economy.
My Government is committed to the development of a buoyant and vibrant small business sector, where new and repeat customers are excited about being given exceptional service.
This Government is committed to ensuring that economic growth and development are translated into opportunities for all British Virgin Islanders.
We are committed to our tourism agenda where residents and visitors are enjoying more than sun, sand, and sea. This means creating combined vacation packages which tells a story about us as a prime destination for relaxation and investments.
I would like to assure the Association and its members to expect our full support. Indeed, we are ensuring a new direction for TAP to build a more competitive British Virgin Islands.
I am told that the BVI Tourist Board has put together an aggressive programme as part of its Villas and Inns Programme where it will continue to assist the organisation with its annual operations.
Additionally, the Board is looking at concrete ways to assist the organisation with marketing.
For example, I look forward to the establishment of a booking engine for small properties. The Board will be working with a US based tour operator to find ways to add affordable airfare to the booking engine. Also, we believe that small property bookings will attract the UK market. I am happy that emphasis will be given to these properties in the new public relations programmes being developed in the US and UK and Europe. This will include social media.
When I served as Chief Minister from 2003-2007, my Government amended the Hotel Aid Ordinance (Cap 290) to encourage small property development in the Territory. I encourage you to take advantage of the benefits of this piece of legislation which will help you to keep your product sharp and market competitive. I will ensure that any such applications get immediate attention by my office.
I challenge small property owners to create summer packages covering May to October. The BVI Tourist Board will assist you in marketing these packages in the US and regionally.
I encourage small property owners to look at joint programmes using collective strength in areas such as purchasing, marketing, training, printing, promotions, Web site design etc.
Pool your resources together to reduce your collective and individual cost of doing business. Do not view each other as competitors, but as partners where a rising tide lifts all boats in the harbour. Build win-win relationships. With this approach I can assure you that my Government will not only listen, but help.
TAP members, my charge remain the same as the one I made to you in December 2003. You must be willing to do what the industry requires to be successful. You must participate fully in the programmes of the Tourist Board. You must increase the standards of the product. You must increase your level of service and you must be 100 percent personally involved in your business.
In creating a new direction for TAP to build a more competitive British Virgin Islands, you must think about strategic and creative ways to get more market share. Think about how you have done business and not be afraid to make changes. Think about making progress. Think about your role in stimulating the economy to build a better British Virgin Islands.
Just recently, we introduced changes in the way duty is charged on imported goods. We trust that you will benefit from those changes.
More recently we have begun discussions about the expansion of the runway at the TB Lettsome International Airport. This expansion will help small properties in the future to be more competitive globally as a result of easier access for your guests and more competitive fares.
But I assure you that even as we speak about the expansion of our airport it will not come at the expense of our environment, which is the very thing that sustains us.
We also spoke about the revitalisation of Craft Alive Market. This will result in a much better experience for our visitors and a better environment for our vendors.
So, while we are intent on stimulating the economy, we encourage you to sell the best of what the BVI is offering.
My Government realises that we cannot accomplish our tourism agenda alone, so we will do as we did before: look to your Association and others in the industry for that support.
Thank you.
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