The bars and restaurants that line the shore of Cane Garden Bay Beach were mostly empty on Tuesday around noon. A dozen white lounge chairs in front of Big Banana Paradise Club were empty of tourists, as were 13 pink ones stationed just outside Rhymer’s Beach Hotel.
The bar at Rhymer’s contained only two patrons, who kept busy talking about United States presidential politics as they watched guests from one of the three catamarans moored a few dozen yards off the beach dive off their boat into the water. Most of the bars’ staff members sat looking at rows of empty tables, appearing to enjoy some peace and quiet in the shade. That quiet could end soon.
As high tourism season, which officially begins in mid-November, ramps up, operators and managers of tourism-related businesses are hoping they will benefit as the global economy gradually recovers from a prolonged recession.
Addressing the audience at an industry meeting convened at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College by the BVI Tourist Board, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said last Thursday that his government is “working overtime” to make sure that the tourism sector remains “buoyant.”
“This year we have been paying close attention to our primary markets in the US and Europe, while at the same time examining new market opportunity in Canada and South America, where the economies of Brazil, Chile and Argentina continue to be very strong,” he said. “Current plans call for the establishment of a formal presence in both of these market areas within the first half of 2013.”
See the Nov. 8, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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