Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Sep 15, 2025

BVI Yachting Hotel & Tourism Association officially launches

BVI Yachting Hotel & Tourism Association officially launches

The BVI Yachting, Hotel and Tourism Association (BVIYHTA) is official in the Virgin Islands, following its formal launch where the Government of the Virgin Islands presented it with a start-off donation of $20,000.

The launch took place Thursday evening, May 4, 2023 at PRIME LV3 in the heart of Road Town, Tortola and was attended by key industry stakeholders and partners, including Acting Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Labour Honourable Lorna G. Smith, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Founder and Chairman of InterCaribbean Airlines Mr Lyndon Gardiner, CEO of Turks & Caicos HTA Ms Stacey Cox, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Mr Vernon Jeffers, among others.

The BVI Yachting, Hotel and Tourism Association (BVIYHTA) was launched at PRIME LV3 in Road Town on May 4, 2023.



Strategic partnerships & alliances the way forward- Hon Wheatley

In presenting the cheque to the association on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) who is responsible for Tourism, Hon Wheatley said in this post-COVID-19 era partnerships are critical for business survival, “and the businesses and the persons who are going to survive are those who acknowledge and recognize and do as is happening today, form strategic partnerships and alliance, collaborative efforts what you are seeing when you bringing yachting, hotel and tourism together.”

Hon Wheatley presented the $20,000 cheque to the Association’s Interim President Mrs Sharon P. Flax-Brutus, who said the territory’s tourism sector needs the attention of everyone.

“It needs everyone’s attention and focus– it needs more focus and commitment than it has received in recent years. It needs its own advocacy; its own engine and it needs a lot more respect than it has been given.”
From left: Marketing Manager of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) Lynette L. Harrigan, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), Interim President of the BVI Yachting, Hotel and Tourism Association (BVIYHTA) Sharon P. Flax-Brutus, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4).



Splitting of the Siamese twins!

The BVIYHTA has branched out of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA).

Mrs Shaina M. Smith-Archer, who heads the BVICC, explained that over fifty years ago the BVICCHA was established through a merger of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and the BVI Hotel Association.

“Last year, when I made the proposal of a HTA to the Board, I was convinced that we had an opportunity to ensure our business stakeholders were more effectively represented across industries.”

According to Smith-Archer, “I observed across the Caribbean region that the chambers of commerce and hotel associations were separate organisations that collaborated for the greater socio-economic development of their countries. I proposed that it was time to split the Siamese twins and I am grateful they were open and supported the idea to the end.”

Among those who received special accolades for the establishment of the BVIYHTA are Mr Clyde Lettsome, Mrs Flax-Brutus, Mr Russell Harrigan, Mrs Sally Reid and Mr Andreas Pade.

Smith-Archer added that the new alliance of the BVICC and HTA “will create a louder voice of business for our economy that currently boasts a gross domestic product of over $1.5 billion dollars.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
×