Company Selected for BVI Tourism Plan
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that the government has chosen a firm to prepare the Virgin Islands’ first National Tourism Plan, a long-term roadmap for sustainable tourism growth. The plan will complement a National Tourism Policy, examine carrying capacity and visitor value, and be supported by a new Destination Management Council and strengthened ministry capacity.
The government has selected a company to prepare the British Virgin Islands’ first National Tourism Plan, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced during his 2026 State of the Territory Address. Dr Wheatley said the plan will provide a long-term framework for sustainable tourism growth, competitiveness and product development as visitor numbers continue to rise.
He did not name the firm during the address, but said the plan will be the territory’s first comprehensive roadmap to guide future tourism strategy. The announcement came as the Premier highlighted what he called one of the strongest periods of tourism performance in the BVI’s history.
Visitor arrivals grew from just under one million three years ago to more than 1.2 million in 2025, with cruise arrivals surpassing 875,000 and overnight arrivals exceeding 300,000 last year. Officials said the National Tourism Plan will complement a National Tourism Policy that Cabinet is expected to consider at its next meeting following extensive public consultation.
Both documents, the Premier said, will examine tourism carrying capacity and visitor value management to ensure that growth preserves residents’ quality of life, protects the character of the Virgin Islands, and safeguards the visitor experience. As part of the wider strategy, government plans to establish a Destination Management Council to provide structured input from industry representatives, communities and tourism partners.
A tourism summit held the week before the address was cited as evidence of the administration’s willingness to work with private stakeholders on development priorities. The administration also plans to transfer tourism development staffing from the BVI Tourist Board to the ministry responsible for tourism.
Dr Wheatley said the move will give government the institutional capacity to more actively shape and strengthen the tourism product, including supporting new accommodation, attractions and niche offerings such as heritage, cultural, sports and entertainment tourism. Work continues on major projects highlighted by the Premier, including the planned Brandywine Bay attraction, which is expected to break ground later this year.
Opposition figures have repeatedly urged a comprehensive strategy to balance cruise growth, overnight stays and the marine sector while protecting environmental and cultural assets; the Premier said the policy, plan and strengthened ministry capacity together represent a “game-changing approach” to making tourism an even stronger economic backbone of the Virgin Islands.
Residents can expect further details as the policy is finalised, the selected company begins its work, and consultations with communities and industry stakeholders continue.
Primary source: BVI News