Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Pressure Brought Gov't To The Table – Opposition Leader

Pressure Brought Gov't To The Table – Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader Hon. Marlon Penn said pressure from the tourism industry on the government’s tourism protocols is reaping success.
Penn, who was at the time speaking on NDP Radio on Monday, November 2 said, Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie is now holding talks with stakeholders with plans of reviewing certain aspects of the protocols required to enter the British Virgin Islands commencing December 1.

He said: “We have now seen after pressure from the industry persons speaking about cancellations and what’s happening … the Premier has said he will rethink and relook the protocols as it relates to the quarantine.”

“I learnt that he had a meeting over the weekend with some persons in the industry to discuss this, which is a good sign. And it shows that we brought the pressure to bear and he is sort of backpedaling on his initial thoughts,” Penn added.

The Opposition Leader said the government’s actions prove that they are reactive.

“We have always expressed this and the fact that the absence of a comprehensive plan to address the issue surrounding the economic circumstances of COVID-19. As we know, tourism is very critical to the economy, and it represents more than half of our GDP. Some estimates put it as close to $500- $600 million in terms of our economic output. It has more persons employed than in any other industry in this territory. So it touches every family and household,” Hon. Penn stated.

Meanwhile, Hon. Penn said it was unfortunate that most stakeholders were consulted only after the protocols received backlash.

“It is a huge concern, and it suggests that if we don’t get those adjustments right within the next 28 days we could potentially lose a large portion of that industry going into December to January which is the busiest time for us as a tourism destination,” he pointed out.

He continued: “We also have to look at the fact many persons in that industry who have been out of jobs for the last eight months, you taking about persons who haven’t gotten a paycheck for eight months. So we have to take on a more hands-on, more involved approach when we are dealing with an industry like that.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×