The Government of the Virgin Islands has addressed longstanding public concerns about the territory’s visual appeal and lack of aesthetic upkeep by empowering the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) with a $500,000 grant for a beautification project. The initiative will be led by Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, the Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4). In … Continued
Renowned for its pristine waters, vibrant coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, and artistic underwater attractions, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has long been celebrated as a premier diving destination in the Caribbean. This year, a dedicated team from the BVI is attending the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, to spotlight … Continued
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell delivered an impassioned call for unity and decisive action at the opening of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, emphasizing the urgency of achieving ambitious outcomes to combat the climate crisis. Stiell began by acknowledging the transition from the Emirati presidency to Azerbaijan’s President Babayev, … Continued
The British Virgin Islands has again been recognized among the Caribbean’s most elite destinations, securing 10th place in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Islands in the Caribbean and Atlantic. The list, determined by 575,048 traveller votes cast for this year, reinforces the territory’s status as a destination celebrated by its visitors. … Continued
The British Virgin Islands’ Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change officially launched a new motor vessel, “Vigilate,” on Friday, October 11, 2024, to bolster the monitoring and surveillance of territorial waters. The vessel, whose name means “be watchful,” was acquired through a $933,189 grant from the European Union’s Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands is actively seeking solutions to address the territory’s high insurance costs, with recent efforts including discussions with global insurance leaders in the United Kingdom. Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, reported that during the recent official visit to the United … Continued
Climate change took center stage during the recent official visit to the United Kingdom, as noted by Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley and Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith. During a reception for the BVI delegation, Premier Wheatley delivered a keynote speech highlighting the negative impacts of climate change on the Virgin Islands. He updated … Continued
The Department of Waste Management (DWM) has made significant progress in its efforts to reduce derelict vehicles throughout the territory, according to Director Marcus Solomon. As of 2024, the department has tagged over 200 derelict vehicles and exported more than 53,000 pounds of scrap metal. Solomon emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining these … Continued
On Tuesday, the Office of the Premier celebrated 30 local businesses that have taken the VI Green Pledge, fortifying their commitment towards environmental sustainability in the British Virgin Islands. The pledges were made during the 11th OECS Council of Ministers for Environment Sustainability meeting last month. The list of participating businesses spans various sectors. The … Continued
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s (HLSCC) Centre for Applied Marine Studies (CAMS) recently welcomed Dr. Loay Jabre, an HLSCC alumnus (A.S., Natural Science ’10) and Postdoctoral Investigator from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) in Falmouth, Massachusetts for a two-week exploratory study and training visit. Director of Marine & Maritime Studies, Susan Zaluski explained that … Continued
