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by pltm
(PLTM) - The tourism industry continues to perform poorly, and as a result, the BVI Tourist Board will be implementing a number of initiatives to revive the sector.
During a recent event, Deputy Director of the BVI Tourist Board, Mr. Rhodni Skelton revealed that this year, there has been a decline in overnight visitor arrivals.
“Currently, we have had 133,425 total overnight visitors...That is down 56.7 percent from last year’s figures,” he stated. Based on statistics provided, 2017 saw an 18 percent decline in this regard, with a total figure of 334,630. This was attributed to the storms.
However, this year, up to September, there have been 133,425 overnight visitors.
On the other hand, there has been an increase in day trippers, with a 28 percent increase from 2017’s 11,798 being recorded.
Meanwhile, cruise arrivals are at an all time low.
It should be noted that after September, Norwegian, Disney and Carnival Cruise lines returned, but prior to this, the figures show an 88 percent decline, with the number being 45,785. This is down from the 409,723 in 2017.
It was also pointed out that accommodations are slowly returning to the pre-storm state.
Some 31 percent of the land based accommodations are operational following the storms in 2017, while 67 percent of yachting berths are active.
Managing Consultant at BVITB, Mr. Trefor Grant however spoke to a number of initiatives geared towards improving the sector and improving these figures.
The Board has been engaged in various types of training, including service excellence, front office training, food and beverage, house keeping, taxi and guest experience training.
He also divulged that there is also an already implemented programme where various key locations around the BVI have been made wifi hotspots, so that visitors could share photos and promote the island.
Still to be completed is the installation of four viewing telescopes on Tortola, Jost-van-Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. This, it was said, is to improve the tourist experience.
The restoration of heritage homes as well as the placement of BVI branded hammocks at various popular locations are also on the table.
