Taxi-Drivers and Tour Operators Complete Training Workshop

Permanent Secretary - Rosalie Adams

The workshop hosted by the Office of the City Manager was designed to introduce participants to the history of Road Town and to some of the personalities and historical sites in the capital.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams in officially declaring the workshop open, encouraged the participants to learn as much as they can.  

“From time to time visitors approach us and they want to know where a particular place is or the name of something they are seeing immediately in front of them, sometimes we have the correct answer, other times we don’t. For you, who will be taking the visitors around, it is very critical that you know,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Mrs. Adams also emphasised the importance of having accurate information to impart to visitors. “What I find is that sometimes people want to give the information, they don’t have the accurate information but they give the information anyway.” She told participants the workshop is an attempt to ensure that they have the correct information.

She also encouraged them to share the knowledge gained. “We want you to continue to learn it so that the information remains

The Permanent Secretary commended City Manager Ms. Eugenia O’Neal for hosting the workshop and in particular for the booklet provided to participants which outlines some of the historical sites around Road Town.

Acting Director of Tourism Ms. Hadassah Ward told the participants they are critical to the Territory’s tourism product because they provide the connection between visitors and their experiences and encouraged them to make the best of the opportunity.

Ms. Ward said while it is easy to see the physical beauty of the Virgin Islands (UK), the taxi-drivers and tour operators have a responsibility to share the history and culture of the Territory to create greater understanding.

Underscoring the importance of the workshop, Ms. Ward said “what we would like from today is for you to get to know our product a little bit better so in your interaction with our visitors, they get a deeper sense of who we are and what we are because that is absolutely critical.”   ~~Adz:Right~~

In conducting Tuesday’s session, the City Manager provided a historical overview of the Virgin Islands and shared some of the historical sites around Road Town including the Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens, Government House and the former prison next to the St. George’s Anglican Church.

Ms. O’Neal told the Department of Information and Public Relations she was pleased with the participation. “I think it went very well. I was pleased with the turnout and the interaction from the taxi-drivers,” she said”

Participants in the workshop will receive certificates at a ceremony scheduled for October 17.The Office of the City Manager which falls within the portfolio of the Premier’s Office, functions to enhance the attractions of the Territory’s capital.