Stop Bashing BVI's Aesthetics, Minister Says
Tourism Minister Luce Hodge-Smith urged residents to stop 'filthy' social media attacks on the territory's appearance while acknowledging urgent cleanup needs in Road Town and elsewhere. She said government agencies are planning long-term solutions, with a formal announcement on joint city manager and Waste Management plans delayed until January 2026 following a new departmental appointment.
Tourism Minister Luce Hodge-Smith this week pushed back against what she called excessive criticism of the British Virgin Islands' appearance on social media, even as she acknowledged parts of Road Town and other areas are in urgent need of cleanup. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Hodge-Smith said she hears complaints from residents and visitors alike and stressed that government agencies are working on longer-term solutions. 'I hear the cries from various sources on the uncleanliness of our capital.
Believe me, I get it from all sides,' she said, adding that plans are underway behind the scenes to clean and maintain the capital. The minister said discussions between the city manager's office and the Department of Waste Management are ongoing but that a public announcement on how the two entities will work together has been postponed until January 2026 because the department recently appointed a new director.
Hodge-Smith said officials will reveal the agreed approach early next year. While conceding that some areas are 'unclean' and 'untidy', Hodge-Smith objected to social media posts that describe the territory as 'filthy.' She said such language can harm the territory's image at a critical time for tourism and does not reflect the experience of many visitors.
The comments come amid renewed public criticism from Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn and growing online frustration as the tourism season gets underway. One persistent challenge the minister highlighted is derelict and abandoned vehicles. She said the Department of Waste Management is still waiting for a designated site to store removed vehicles, and until that land issue is resolved those eyesores will remain visible in public spaces. 'The effort is there.
The plans are there, and we will see some results at the end of our planning,' she added. Hodge-Smith signalled support for calls to establish permanent maintenance teams across all districts, calling the idea 'ideal.' At the same time, she urged residents, private landowners and mechanics who use public spaces to take responsibility for their surroundings and show pride in the territory.
For residents, the minister's remarks underline that government action is forthcoming but community cooperation will be needed to speed improvements. Practical steps include reporting abandoned vehicles to local authorities, participating in district cleanups, and ensuring private properties are not used for dumping.
Officials say a fuller plan and timelines will be released in January 2026, after which progress expectations will be clearer.
Primary source: BVI News