Illegal dumping will hurt tourism
Ahead of the December 1 reopening of the local tourism industry, Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie DeCastro is urging residents to stop the illegal dumping of garbage as it can negatively impact the industry.
Authorities in the BVI have expressed a challenge with illegal dumping in the territory and government has stated it will implement laws to stem the practice.
Speaking yesterday, September 21 at the launch of the BVI Tourist Board’s rebranding campaign initiative BVI Love, DeCastro said the BVI must present a spotless environment to welcome visitors in December.
“Today, I take the opportunity to challenge each of us to demonstrate our BVILOVE by keeping the environment clean and presentable. Now, this is not limited to our national parks. It is keeping the entire territory sparkling. In this light, let us cease from indiscriminate dumping immediately as this will hurt our tourism product,” DeCastro said.
She also reminded persons to treat visitors well, as “one negative interaction can ruin someone’s vacation or discourage them from investing in our businesses.”
“Our economy thrives from persons visiting and patronising our local businesses. Therefore, it is important that they have the best experience that any destination has to offer,” DeCastro explained.
The BVI’s tourism has taken a hit due to the nine-month shut-down of the industry because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Despite calls to reopen the territory sooner, the government maintained that the borders would remain closed until the number of COVID-19 cases had dropped significantly.
Premier Andrew Fahie, announced the December 1 reopening on Monday, just days after health authorities announced that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the BVI had dropped below 10.
Speaking yesterday, September 21 at the launch of the BVI Tourist Board’s rebranding campaign initiative BVI Love, DeCastro said the BVI must present a spotless environment to welcome visitors in December.
“Today, I take the opportunity to challenge each of us to demonstrate our BVILOVE by keeping the environment clean and presentable. Now, this is not limited to our national parks. It is keeping the entire territory sparkling. In this light, let us cease from indiscriminate dumping immediately as this will hurt our tourism product,” DeCastro said.
She also reminded persons to treat visitors well, as “one negative interaction can ruin someone’s vacation or discourage them from investing in our businesses.”
“Our economy thrives from persons visiting and patronising our local businesses. Therefore, it is important that they have the best experience that any destination has to offer,” DeCastro explained.
The BVI’s tourism has taken a hit due to the nine-month shut-down of the industry because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Despite calls to reopen the territory sooner, the government maintained that the borders would remain closed until the number of COVID-19 cases had dropped significantly.
Premier Andrew Fahie, announced the December 1 reopening on Monday, just days after health authorities announced that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the BVI had dropped below 10.
