"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
In January, we breathed a sigh of relief when the government announced a series of public meetings about the national tourism plan it is promising by October. Finally, we thought, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Remaining tourism meetings should be open to the public”
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development has cancelled the six remaining public meetings on a planned national tourism policy, replacing them with “target focus group sessions” that have …
After Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley called for a “shared vision” last Thursday at the first Virgin Islands Tourism Summit, Shereen Flax-Charles had a question. “What are the plans to balance …
Government is right to kick off 2025 by organising a comprehensive public conversation about the tourism sector. Now it’s the public’s turn. We urge all residents to participate in the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Public input vital at tourism summit”
As the government gears up to host a tourism summit next week, the completion target for a long-delayed national tourism plan has been pushed forward again — this time until …
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger”
A series of “stakeholder consultations” on the planned airport expansion was scheduled to start on Oct. 29, but the Beacon’s attempts to find out when and where the meetings are …
Continue reading “Public not invited to ‘stakeholder’ meetings for airport project”
In a significant win for the territory, more flights from more destinations inside and outside the Caribbean have been coming to the Virgin Islands in recent months. The resulting increase …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Flight boost should prompt celebration, reflection”
Government has decided to extend the Beef Island runway by some 1,400 feet or more even though a business case designed to assess the project’s feasibility is not complete and …
After more than a decade of delays, a national tourism plan is in the works and will be completed by the end of this year, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
In March 2022, Cabinet decided to award a $1.9 million contract to a New York-based firm to create the national tourism plan that successive governments had been promising for more …
Continue reading “Long-delayed tourism plan stalled for now”
Virgin Islands tourism is recovering quickly as the Covid-19 pandemic eases. This is great news. But it is also a reminder that the territory urgently needs the comprehensive tourism plan …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Tourism is recovering quickly. Now what’s the plan?”