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The British Virgin Islands’ Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund recorded a balance of $15.83 million at the end of June 2026, with more than $1.85 million collected during the first six months of the year.
According to the second-quarter statement prepared by the Office of the Accountant General, collections totalled $996,285.96 between January and March and a further $858,142 between April and June.
The statement, signed by Acting Accountant General Wendell M. Ronan on July 30, puts the fund’s closing balance at $15,832,626.48 as of June 30. It was prepared for publication in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette under the fund’s quarterly reporting arrangements.
The fund is financed through a $10 environmental and tourism levy introduced in September 2017 for eligible visitors. The proceeds support environmental protection, climate change initiatives, and the maintenance and development of tourism sites across the territory.
Since its introduction, the levy has attracted public discussion about how the revenue is allocated and translated into improvements to the environment and visitor experience. Previous reporting has highlighted calls for clear information on the use of the proceeds.
A portion of the revenue supports the separate Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund, which was established to finance climate change adaptation and mitigation projects.
Deputy Premier, Hon. Julian Fraser with responsibility for the environment, had indicated that the Trust would receive more than $5.2 million in seed funding, representing a 40 per cent share of accumulated visitor levy receipts.
He acknowledged earlier delays in accessing the funding and a period during which the Trust’s board had been dormant.
Fraser had explained that the Trust operates independently, maintains its own bank accounts and is governed by a board responsible for deciding which projects receive support. In July 2026, it was reported that the Climate Change Trust Fund held just over $6 million. This comprised its first levy disbursement, received in June 2025, subsequent receipts and interest.
The remaining 60 per cent of levy proceeds is retained by Government for other prescribed purposes, including disbursements to the Virgin Islands National Parks Trust (NPT) and the appropriate tourism authority. Recently, the NPT sounded the alarm over difficulties accessing funding due to various challenges.
According to the second-quarter statement prepared by the Office of the Accountant General, collections totalled $996,285.96 between January and March and a further $858,142 between April and June.
The statement, signed by Acting Accountant General Wendell M. Ronan on July 30, puts the fund’s closing balance at $15,832,626.48 as of June 30. It was prepared for publication in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette under the fund’s quarterly reporting arrangements.
The fund is financed through a $10 environmental and tourism levy introduced in September 2017 for eligible visitors. The proceeds support environmental protection, climate change initiatives, and the maintenance and development of tourism sites across the territory.
Since its introduction, the levy has attracted public discussion about how the revenue is allocated and translated into improvements to the environment and visitor experience. Previous reporting has highlighted calls for clear information on the use of the proceeds.
A portion of the revenue supports the separate Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund, which was established to finance climate change adaptation and mitigation projects.
Deputy Premier, Hon. Julian Fraser with responsibility for the environment, had indicated that the Trust would receive more than $5.2 million in seed funding, representing a 40 per cent share of accumulated visitor levy receipts.
He acknowledged earlier delays in accessing the funding and a period during which the Trust’s board had been dormant.
Fraser had explained that the Trust operates independently, maintains its own bank accounts and is governed by a board responsible for deciding which projects receive support. In July 2026, it was reported that the Climate Change Trust Fund held just over $6 million. This comprised its first levy disbursement, received in June 2025, subsequent receipts and interest.
The remaining 60 per cent of levy proceeds is retained by Government for other prescribed purposes, including disbursements to the Virgin Islands National Parks Trust (NPT) and the appropriate tourism authority. Recently, the NPT sounded the alarm over difficulties accessing funding due to various challenges.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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