The responses are in, and according to the United Kingdom-commissioned
Independent Analysis for Public Consultation on the Overseas Territories, which was released Monday, the main concerns for OT residents in their everyday lives include crime, a high cost of living and unemployment.
Of the 517 responses gathered during the consultation period, 104 came from the Virgin Islands, according to the report, which was completed for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by Trufflenet.
Regarding economic development, one of the main questions posed by the FCO for the consultation, respondents commonly cited the need for a more diverse economy. Some respondents want to see their territories identify “alternatives to tourism,” the report states.
Inadequate infrastructure and the global financial crisis were also listed as “challenges to economic development.”