A total of 894,991 tourists visited the Virgin Islands during 2019, reaching nearly 80 percent of pre-Irma levels and more than doubling 2018 numbers, Premier Andrew Fahie announced last Thursday …
March 3, 2020
January 23, 2020
Peter Island to reopen by December 2021
After a long silence following Hurricane Irma, Peter Island Resort and Spa has announced that it aims to reopen the “main sections” of its 52 hotel rooms and three villas …
December 17, 2019
Post-Irma growth puts VI near top in tourism rankings
Following low tourism numbers in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the Virgin Islands saw some of the highest growth in the Caribbean during a strong regional …
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November 15, 2019
Yacht show sees largest turnout since Irma
Bamboushay pottery mugs and an award for volunteer work decorated the main cabin of a 62-foot Leopard catamaran called The Big Dog, which was on display at the Nanny Cay …
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October 25, 2019
Food Fete previewed at Crafts Alive
Local legend Elmore Stoutt got on his dancing shoes and brought his best voice to the microphone as he ramped up a crowd for a celebration of the territory’s cuisine. …
October 22, 2019
Petition protests dolphins’ return
An online petition to halt the return of captive dolphins to the Virgin Islands has amassed more than 4,000 signatures, with supporters calling the practice “inhumane” and “cruel.” Tortola resident …
October 14, 2019
Cruise execs look for culture, history
In an effort to brainstorm ways to earn more from the cruise ship passengers who visit the Virgin Islands, representatives from four cruise lines hosted a public meeting last week …
September 17, 2019
Revamped Rosewood Little Dix Bay prepares to reopen
This winter, Virgin Islands residents seeking a new career path may want to consider one they may have thought only existed in English manor houses or on television: butler. “We …
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September 11, 2019
Businesses take a lead in Hurricane Irma recovery
Two years after Hurricane Irma, a walk through Road Town suggests that the biggest victory of the private sector also remains its greatest challenge: rebuilding. “Many of the businesses are …
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August 20, 2019
COMMENTARY — Safety seen as crucial to tourism
Personal safety is the traveller’s most critical consideration. No family wants to go on vacation only to return in caskets. A country may offer spectacular panoramas, hugely significant historical sites, …
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June 25, 2019
Regional tourism grew in Q1
The Caribbean recorded a 12 percent increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2019 spurred on by a 24 percent rise in arrivals from the United States, according …
February 21, 2019
Lambert schedules reopening for November 1
It’s been a long time since Lambert Bay has been crowded with tourists, but that could change soon. The beach’s resort underwent a significant facelift in 2016 and 2017, closing …
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December 10, 2018
Necker Island back up and running; no timeline yet for Mosquito
After shutting down following the passage of Hurricane Irma, Necker Island officially reopened in October and has been welcoming groups of up to 30 guests, according to a Virgin Limited …
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December 10, 2018
Exploring the depths without a dive certificate
Snorkelling enthusiasts in the Virgin Islands who don’t have their scuba diving certificates now have an alternative way to explore deeper underwater environments: BVI Snuba. Snuba — first conceived by …
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November 25, 2018
Cabinet approves Norman project talks
Cabinet gave the go-ahead at the end of October for government to negotiate a development agreement for Norman Island with Dr. Henry Jarecki, the island’s owner, according to a report …
October 30, 2018
Scrub is back, with full reopening set for Dec. 19
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina announced a “grand opening” this month after sustaining extensive damage during the passage of Hurricane Irma last year. The announcement means the resort will …
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September 21, 2018
Anegada “pushing for bigger and better things” after Irma
This article originally appeared in the Beacon’s Sept. 6 “Irma Anniversary” edition. For the some 300 people living on Anegada, day-to-day life is punctuated by boat arrivals. Road Town-based passenger ferries pull …
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September 12, 2018
Virgin Islands economy takes new shapes after Irma
This article originally appeared in the Beacon’s Sept. 6 “Irma Anniversary” edition. Like many people throughout the Virgin Islands, Courdney Williams has a very different daily routine than he did 12 months …
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June 28, 2018
Visa requirement lifted for Chinese tourists
Shortly after Premier Dr. Orlando Smith returned from a visit to China this month, government lifted the visa requirement for nationals of that country. Chinese can now enter and remain …
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June 4, 2018
Premier gets behind planned Norman Island development
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith supports Dr. Henry Jarecki’s plan to develop Norman Island. In a message delivered to the Beacon last week through government Communications Director Arliene Penn, Dr. Smith said …
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May 4, 2018
VI ‘slow to prepare’ for big cruise ships
On weekday afternoons when no cruise ships have docked in the port, the Tortola Pier Park’s pristine courtyard tends to be a little sleepy. A handful of residents and tourists …
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July 3, 2015
Gov’t to guarantee $15m loan for cruise pier landside works [ORDER PAPER]
Lawmakers will vote Monday on a loan guarantee for the BVI Ports Authority to complete construction on the cruise pier project’s landside development, according to the Order Paper outlining Monday’s …
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April 15, 2015
Cruise passenger likely went overboard near PR
Dominic William O’Carroll, a 67-year-old Irish citizen, is still missing after a search by the United States Coast Guard was called off on Tuesday afternoon.
October 8, 2014
Minister: 600k cruise ship tourists expected this season
On Oct. 23, the Norwegian Pearl will arrive in Road Town. It will be the first cruise ship of the 2014-2015 season, during which officials expect nearly 300 cruise ships …
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September 2, 2014
Cruise development under way [PHOTO GALLERY]
Most of the necessary land-side pilings have already been installed at the territory’s cruise pier development site, and the pilings needed for the pier itself are being installed beginning this …
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