Hon. O'Neal Tuesday, 3rd November 2009 - Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, today the British Virgin Islands join with our Caribbean counterparts in observing Caribbean Tourism Day as designated by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
It is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the significant impact the tourism industry has played in various aspects of our lives.
I have been fortunate to witness through time, the development of our Virgin Islands, economically and socially. It is on the island of my birth, Virgin Gorda that an important element in Virgin Islands history occurred. In 1958 Mr. Laurance S. Rockefeller began the planning and acquisition of land for the development of a resort property that would share our island with visitors from around the world as well as afford BVIslanders the opportunity to learn and develop themselves and their families through tourism.
From Mr Rockefeller’s initial investments, we have seen our own sons and daughters build properties, restaurants and different businesses in the travel industry. Today we proudly celebrate the accomplishments of BVIslanders such as Mrs. Maria Christopher of Maria’s By the Sea, Mr. Alcedo Hodge of A&L Inn, Mr. Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood of Foxy’s, Captain Lowel Wheatley, Anegada Reef Hotel, Mr. Romney and his wife of Treasure Isle Hotel and Restaurant and Mr. Andy Flax of Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel. All have worked to add to the Territory’s tourism offerings and provide jobs in our economy.
This year’s theme, Tourism – Celebrating Diversity is taken from the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation which focuses on the world’s cultural richness and variety. The theme also supports the BVI Tourist Board and its dedication to heritage tourism. While we welcome our visitors to our shores, it is imperative that the distinct history and culture be represented in all aspects of life in the Virgin Islands, even our tourism industry. To this end, the Board has placed emphasis on supporting projects which tell the story of BVIslanders and our culture.
In September former Speaker of the House and Artist Reuben Vanterpool, who leads a community based group, received a financial contribution of $150,000 to restore a sugar mill on the grounds of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The restoration of this mill will give young BVIslanders an opportunity to experience how our forefathers survived over a century ago. As an added attraction, tourists to our islands will also have the opportunity to see and operate the mill.
Plans have been made for similar restorations to the Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay and the Copper Mine on Virgin Gorda.
Continuously, the Tourist Board has worked with the Department of Culture to identify and manage the erection of signs marking 20 landmarks throughout the Territory including the St. Philip’s Anglican Church Ruins, also known as the Church of the Africans in Kingston. This project will continue through to 2010 with the installation of interpretive signs to educate residents and visitors about the historical significance of such sites.
Residents and guests alike will be able to locate museums such as the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works and the VI Folk Museum which store the many artifacts of life in the BVI in the early twentieth century. Museums help to preserve important relics which tell the story of the Virgin Islands before there was running water, electricity and the many conveniences of our modern lives. While helping to pass on the culture of the British Virgin Islands to younger generations, our museums also help to tell the story of the Virgin Islands’ growth and development to tourists. And while our visitors enjoy our beaches and restaurants, the stories told by museum artifacts help them to better understand the beginnings of the BVIslander.
I challenge industry stakeholders to strike a balance as you promote the culture of our islands in the services you provide. Though we might not have the tango like the Argentineans, we have the quadrille, instead of the many Italian types of pasta, we have our fungi and fish and without the jazz of early African Americans, we still make fungi music with the ukulele and triangle.
I urge tourism professionals to continue showcasing our music, cultural dances, dresses and cuisine to all of our guests. Every part of the world has its distinct offerings to travellers, and the BVI is no exception; so let us celebrate this distinctiveness in industry. Our culture and way of life should be an asset used to market our islands.
On this Caribbean Tourism Day, I urge all members of our BVI community to reflect on the significance of this industry in all of our lives. Let us seriously consider today’s theme, Tourism – Celebrating Diversity and embrace the richness of our distinct BVI culture and its contribution to global cultural diversity. I join with the Tourist Board as they encourage the public to learn more about the Territory’s heritage by visiting our museums as well as learning from elder British Virgin Islanders in order to pass on the richness of the British Virgin Islands culture to future generations.
It is our responsibility to future generations to build a sustainable tourism industry while preserving and showcasing our distinct culture to the world. Let us all be proud and celebrate the culture of our Virgin Islands and its contribution to our tourism sector.
Thank you very much.
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