Government to Establish Permanent Airlift Taskforce

Acting Director of Tourism, Ms. Hadassah Ward addresses industry partners at the BVI Tourist Board’s Industry Marketplace at Long Bay Beach Resort on Monday, August 11, 2008

Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE who is also the Minister for Tourism, revealed this on Monday as he addressed industry partners at the official opening of the Industry Marketplace hosted by the BVI Tourist Board.

“I feel it very appropriate to announce to this gathering that subject to Cabinet approval an airlift taskforce headed by the Minister for Tourism, will be set up to make the airlift taskforce, a permanent body to continually seek to improve the relationship with the airlines,” the Premier said.

The announcement from the Premier comes against the backdrop of the impending reduction in the number of American Eagle flights to and from the Territory.

Honourable O’Neal identified the lack of air access as one of the major challenges facing the local tourism industry and he views the task force as having significant potential to resolve this issue. “The last time we had an issue like this, a task force was set up to examine the problem and they did manage the situation admirably,” he said.

The Premier also disclosed that the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA has secured access for another Caribbean airline to service the BVI /San Juan route.

He added that “LIAT has indicated that they may well be able to arrange an early and a late flight between San Juan and the Virgin Islands.”  ~~Adz:Right~~

According to the Premier, the efforts being made to improve air access to the Territory are indicative of “how very serious this Administration is about what we are doing to ensure the survival of the industry and economy in the British Virgin Islands.”

Acting Director of Tourism, Ms. Hadassah Ward has welcomed the announcement by the Premier. Expressing excitement about the announcement by the Premier Ms. Ward said air access continues to be a major challenge for the BVI tourism industry as it struggles to find a balance between its perception as one of the world’s best kept secrets while at the same time providing adequate access for those who wish to visit.

Ms. Ward is particularly heartened by the news that the airlift taskforce will become a permanent body. “It means that we are no longer going to be reacting to what is happening, we are always going to be proactive,” she added.

Ms. Ward further stated that this pro-active approach is particularly important in a rapidly changing industry like tourism. She noted too that it is imperative that the industry partners continue to work together to design solutions to improve the industry’s operations.

The BVI Tourist Board has itself adopted a more pro-active approach as evidenced by its decision to incorporate an Industry Marketplace into its annual strategic planning meeting. The marketplace is designed to allow industry partners to have frank discussions with Tourist Board officials to address problems and concerns and propose solutions for taking the industry forward.

Tourism is one of the economic pillars for the Virgin Islands (UK) and Government stands committed to promoting it and ensuring its survival.