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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Territory has recorded an overall increase in tourist arrivals, particularly with cruise visitors, which government is attributing to the investments made in the industry---one of its main economic pillars.
"We are pleased that our visitor arrival numbers through October 2016 continued on a growth path with an overall increase of over 20 percent. Overnight arrivals continue to grow and, up to October, recorded year on year growth of approximately four percent (4%)," Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith said.
These positive figures come as the government struggle with the ongoing negative impact on its main economic pillar, financial services.
The Finance Minister noted that despite a number of frontal challenges the tourism sector faced in 2016, including the closure for redevelopment of Rosewood Little Dix Bay, the advent of ZIKA, the closure of Biras Creek Resort, the closure of YCCS for major redevelopment work and ongoing air access issues, they achieved major objectives for 2016.
"I am pleased to note, Madame Speaker, that Little Dix Bay will be reopened in December of this year; the issues relating to the closure of Biras Creek have been satisfactorily resolved and an improved YCCS will reopen in a few weeks."
Premier Smith mentioned the investment made in the cruise and land side development.
"We are particularly pleased to see that the recently completed Tortola Pier Park is welcoming record numbers of cruise arrivals. The shopping at the Park is of a high standard and the facility is easily one of the most attractive in the region. Madame Speaker, we should all be proud of the Pier Park," he stated.
"As a destination, we also continued to receive industry and worldwide tourism accolades with Virgin Gorda being recently named the “Best Island in Caribbean” by Travel and Leisure."
Premier Smith noted that success in tourism is fueled by a positive visitor experience, and this is an area that both his office and the BVI Tourist Board had been doubling down on over the last two years.
"It is an area that will remain centre stage in 2017. Our focus has been in two principal areas, customer service and destination training, which I touched on earlier and that of product development to enhance the visitor experience," he stated.
Premier Smith said that the BVI Tourist Board has delivered on the mandate set by his government and has increased visitor arrivals to the Territory, "and we are determined to see that trend deepened in our core markets."
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