by Brian Major
Last updated: 12:07 PM ET, Fri April 12, 2019
The British Virgin Islands has new tourism leadership following the February election of Andrew A. Fahie as the territory's premier and minister responsible for tourism.
Following his appointment, Fahie named Shereen Flax-Charles as junior minister for tourism "to assist in handling the tourism portfolio," according to a British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) statement.
Fahie, a former educator and businessman who has served as a British Virgin Islands (B.V.I.) legislator for more than 20 years, is "committing to being laser-focused on tourism as a driver of economic development in these Virgin Islands," he said.
Fahie said tourism activity in the territory is focused on the First District area, which he called, "A major hub of tourism activity in our territory, with several hotels and villas, yacht charter companies, boat and vehicle rentals, marinas as well as one of the primary ports of entry at West End."
"My government will do its best to provide the BVI Tourist Board with all the resources necessary to foster the sustainable development of tourism in the B.V.I. for the benefit of all residents," he added.
Flax-Charles began her tourism career at childhood, working at the Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel in Virgin Gorda, which her parents own.
She is a first-time legislator who has served as Sister Islands tourism development manager and projects manager at the BVITB for nearly 20 years. Flax-Charles is also well-known as "Queen Shereen," a popular territorial entertainer and calypsonian singer with the band It's a Secret.
"I am making a commitment that with the assistance of the BVI Tourist Board, we will deliver on our promises to make this one of the most vibrant tourism economies in the region and the world," Flax-Charles said.
The territory is seeking to rebound from severe visitor arrival decline in 2018 due in large part to extensive infrastructure damage suffered in the hurricanes of late 2017. The territory hosted 192,312 arrivals last year, a 42.5 percent decline from 2017.
B.V.I. officials said 75 percent of the territory's marine berths and 37 of its land-based accommodations had re-opened by the end of 2018 after the territory lost losing more than 90 percent of its accommodations and attractions last fall.
Officials expect more than 1,000 rooms and 3,200 berths to be available by the end of 2019, with many operators "viewing the aftermath of the storm as a chance to significantly upgrade their product."
In addition, Tortola Pier Park, site of the territory's main cruise port, will host more than 200 port calls and 400,000 passengers in the 2018/2019 season. The islands have also regained full capacity in terms of airlift and ferry service.
Travelers to the destination are also increasingly opting for alternative accommodations. In December the B.V.I. government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with home-stay provider Airbnb to "drive local, authentic, and sustainable tourism to the islands," said company officials.
More than 2,000 guests booked B.V.I. accommodations through Airbnb between July 2017 and July 2018, with an average stay of four days, Airbnb officials said.
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