A Wise Move
With visitors spending well over $200 million per year tourism continues to be the basis for the BVI economy. The O'Neal administration has for the past six years paid close attention to this sector and as the Chief Minister has pointed out in the 2001 Budget Address, "we are reaping the benefits of almost a decade of global integrated tourism marketing aimed at an upscale clientele." He went on to point out that the BVI has been consistently promoted as an exclusive destination for discerning travelers. Furthermore, the local government has devised a strategy to increase visitors to the Territory during the summer period, as well as promoting the diversity of a BVI vacation by encouraging visits to the sister islands such as Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Industry analysts have confirmed that tourist arrivals will remain strong and visitor spending is expected to increase proportionally. To enhance promotions and public relations in North America and in Europe the 2001 Budget is expected to increase the allotment to the Tourist Board by $1.9 million, bringing the total annual subvention to $7.9 million. "To realize the true potential of this area we must invest in the requisite infrastructure, human resources, financial and other support services," the Chief Minister said. From time to time, during the last fifteen years we have published editorials urging the local government to increase the subvention to the BVI Tourist Board. Our words must have echoed in the minds of the decision-makers and the yearly allotment went gradually up. We still remember the early 1980s when the subvention was well below $1 million. But only now, with the O'Neal administration, we are seeing a more serious response and we can truly congratulate this government for putting the money where their mouth is. This type of investment will reap handsome dividends!