Tourism policy coming in June, says Premier

The BVI will have a long-awaited National Tourism Policy by the end of June 2025, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced.

The statement came during a press conference where the Premier addressed developments in the territory’s tourism sector following the recent National Tourism Summit. Premier Wheatley revealed that consultations for the policy are underway and will involve stakeholders across all major islands. “We’ve had some conversations about the challenges of overcrowding,” Dr Wheatley explained. “This year I want to pull all stakeholders together so we can put forward some solutions to make sure that we properly distribute the tourists.”

He explained that the policy would guide the BVI in tackling challenges and seizing opportunities in the dynamic global tourism market. The National Tourism Summit, held earlier this month at the reopened Peter Island Resort, brought together 200 tourism stakeholders. The summit laid the groundwork for the policy and accompanying National Tourism Plan. Discussions focused on innovation, sustainability, and improving visitor experiences to strengthen the BVI’s tourism brand. “The summit served as a launch pad for the formulation of the National Tourism Policy and also the National Tourism Plan,” Premier Wheatley said.