Speaking at a public meeting to address residents’ concerns last week, Premier Fahie described the project as being very important for the BVI’s economy.

“The spin-off from this project is huge. You have the car rental companies that prosper from this project, you have the vendors that will prosper tremendously from this project, you have the taxi operators that will benefit tremendously from this project and so many other areas; even new areas that you will see come forward and new entrepreneurs,” said the Premier who is also Representative of the First District where West End is located.

The Premier also expressed that there was a noticeable increase in travel and this uptick has potential benefits for each local sector of tourism.

“We are seeing the progress in terms of the arrival numbers. We’re seeing the numbers in tourism starting to rise again, and the cruise industry numbers starting to rise again, the hotel numbers starting to rise again,” he added.

“So, there’s a sector of the economy and tourism for everyone,” he continued. “Some persons benefit more from cruise tourism, some persons benefit more from the marine section of the tourism and some persons benefit more from the on-land section with hotels and the guest homes from tourism. So, there are different sectors of tourism but everyone has their niche areas in that section.”

As he invited their feedback, the territory’s leader urged residents not to limit their thoughts and actions regarding the project as it moves forward.

The Premier also said he felt that the terminal’s location is a very instrumental and focal point to allow for international travel.

“I don’t go into ‘why the First District’ or ‘why not the First District’. That, to me, is shallow thinking. It has to be in some district. Whatever project you’re doing in the Virgin Islands, it has to be in some district,” he reasoned.