The Premier said: “From the six ministries travel from March 2019 to present, we have the total being $394,768.03.”

By BVI News’ calculations, this amount equates to roughly $56,000 spent on travel per month.

BVI to benefit from our travels

Premier Fahie described his administration’s travel since taking up office as necessary.

He explained: “It is a known fact that in order to keep this territory on the cutting edge in every respect, the minsters and their delegations from their respective ministries must travel abroad from time to time no matter which government it is.”

“The value of the travel can only be accurately measured by the benefits to the government of the Virgin Islands and the people of the Virgin Islands. In this regard, all travel by this government has or will yield significant dividends for the people of the Virgin Islands,” the Premier added.

NDP racked millions in travel expenses over two terms

In the meantime, the Premier disclosed that the previous governing administration, the National Democratic Party, racked up millions in travel expenses during the last two consecutive terms in office.

“It is always good to put it into context in terms of travel, because from 2011 to February 2019, the total in travel for ministers and their delegates from their ministries was $6,820,399.35 - which is an average of approximately $802,000 per year for travel for the six ministries.”