Premier Defends Tourism Success
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says the British Virgin Islands is seeing a strong tourism rebound, with more than 1.1 million visitors recorded in 2024 and robust arrivals through 2025. He rejected criticism that the government has underperformed on tourism, pointing to reopening resorts, a new national tourism policy and steps to improve air and sea connectivity.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended his administration’s record on tourism, saying critics have “downplayed our success” as the sector continues to recover and drive local economic growth. Delivering the 2026 Budget Address, Dr Wheatley said the territory recorded more than 1.1 million visitors in 2024 — the second-highest total in BVI history — and that 2025 is on track to surpass that figure.
By the end of the third quarter of 2025 the territory had recorded 837,000 arrivals, including a 7.2 percent rise in cruise passengers and a nearly 55 percent jump in day trippers. The Premier highlighted a milestone for overnight tourism: for the first time since hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, overnight stays exceeded 300,000.
He noted that within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) only St. Maarten have higher overnight arrivals than the Virgin Islands. Those statistics come as opposition voices and some industry stakeholders have critiqued the government’s handling of tourism, arguing the territory needs major new developments and a clearer long-term strategy.
Dr Wheatley pushed back on that narrative, outlining recent and upcoming moves aimed at growing higher-value, longer-stay tourism. Among developments cited were the reopenings of Peter Island Resort and the Bitter End Yacht Club, and the planned relaunch of Biras Creek Resort — properties positioned to bolster the boutique and luxury end of the market.
Dr Wheatley also said a National Tourism Policy for 2025–2035 has been completed and is under internal review before presentation to Cabinet in December, and that a Request for Proposal for a National Tourism Plan will be issued soon. Government-led measures to support growth include a renewed Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development, marketing initiatives such as BVI Restaurant Week, and efforts to improve air and sea connectivity.
The Premier said these steps, combined with private-sector investment, will help sustain tourism as a primary engine of GDP expansion into 2026 and beyond. For residents, a stronger tourism sector matters for jobs, small businesses and public revenues that fund services and infrastructure.
Officials say continued focus on higher-spending overnight visitors, alongside cruise and day-trip markets, will be key — but success will depend on delivering the policy, infrastructure improvements and investor confidence the Premier has promised.
Primary source: BVI News