TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – The government has released a draft Virgin Islands National Tourism Policy for public review, outlining a 10-year framework to reshape the territory’s tourism industry.
In a press statement issued earlier this week, the administration said it is “making considerable progress towards finalising the Virgin Islands National Tourism Policy (2026-2036) and the draft is now available for public review”.
According to the release, the policy proposes “a comprehensive framework for transforming the territory’s tourism sector into a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive pillar of sustainable development”.
It also seeks “to achieve a balanced tourism model, harmonising the benefits of mass tourism with the exclusivity and high-value potential of luxury and boutique tourism”.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley described the draft as a milestone in the government’s approach to the sector.
“The National Tourism Policy represents a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to the tourism sector and provides a clear, modern framework to guide its growth and diversification,” Dr Wheatley said.
He added that the policy “articulates government’s long-term commitment to strengthening tourism as a central pillar of the Virgin Islands’ economy, one that supports livelihoods, encourages investment, protects the territory’s natural and cultural assets, and ensures that the benefits of tourism are more widely and sustainably shared across the various communities”.
The Premier further stated that the policy sets out “clear objectives focused on improving governance and coordination across government, strengthening the overnight and marine tourism product, enhancing destination quality and resilience, and aligning tourism development with national sustainable-development goals”.
Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Joseph Smith-Abbott, said the draft policy and supporting documents are now available on the government’s website.
“We are delighted to be able to present these important documents to the public, and we anticipate your feedback as we seek to finalise the policy. The formulation of the policy is grounded on extensive consultations with tourism stakeholders, who helped shape the future of the sector for years to come,” Smith-Abbott said.
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