In recognition of their loyalty to this destination, the BVI Tourist Board will extend later this month a special invitation for travellers to become members of the BVI VIP Club.

Club members will receive special discounts, gifts, information and the recognition accorded a VIP when visiting the Territory. Chairman of the Board, Mr. Myron Walwyn, said, that the VIP Club is a simple way of saying thanks to repeat visitors on behalf of the BVI. “The programme is a tangible expression of gratitude by Government, businesses and the people of the Virgin Islands to our many long-time and repeat visitors for their loyalty to the destination.”

The program was the initiative of the Tourist Board’s German office in 2003 and has currently 1,000 visitors from the markets served by that office, namely Germany, Switzerland and Austria. That program will now be extended to all visitors to the Territory and will boast three levels of membership: Gold membership offering the highest level of reward followed by Silver and Basic levels.

To qualify for membership, a visitor from the USA or Caribbean must have visited the BVI three times to be eligible for Basic membership, with Silver and Gold awards after six and ten visits, respectively. Visitors from the rest of the World will become eligible for Basic membership after two visits, with Silver and Gold membership after four and seven visits, respectively.

Acting Director of the Board, Ms. Hadassah Ward says that the programme is important to strengthen the relationship with visitors on the Territory.  “It is important to strengthen the relationship and emotional bond between the destination and its strongest ambassadors’ i.e. its repeat visitors. Each time they visit, they are endorsing the destination and the VIP Club membership is our way of saying thank you for being an ambassador of the BVI.”

Once a member, BVI VIP Club members just have to display their credit card sized membership card and a photo id to receive discounts throughout the Territory. Local businesses join the program as partners and offer various discounts which are published on the BVI VIP Club website and in the BVI VIP Club booklet. Visitors can also recognise partner businesses throughout the BVI by looking for the blue BVI VIP Club logo.

There are currently 56 businesses on six islands in the program, ranging in services from accommodations, marine, retailers, restaurants, transportation and activities. The Board expects to increase this number significantly and will be soon launching a series of meetings to register businesses. Local businesses will also be able to advertise on the site for a fee, as well as businesses from outside the Territory who join as allied members.

To identify visitors eligible for membership, the Board is working with Development Planning Unit (DPU) by querying immigration records. Persons meeting the criteria will be invited to sign up for the program by visiting the BVI VIP Club website.  Visitors can sign up on their own by sending the Tourist Board proof of visitation such as photocopies of the stamps from their passport.

Local businesses such as accommodation and charter companies can also nominate visitors by submitting proof from their business records.  The Board anticipates signing up more than 100,000 BVI VIP members by the end of the year.  Businesses throughout the Territory are encouraged to learn more about the programme and identify potential members by contacting Business Development Specialist, Ms. Kimberly Hodge at (284) 494-4314 ext. 222 or email khodge@bvitourism.com.

The BVI VIP Club is part of the Tourist Board’s objective of preparing the destination for the travel rebound by solidifying its core markets through strong niche marketing and enhancing the product experience.  The programme will be launched and marketed in the Territory’s major tourist markets.

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