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Chairman’s Remarks at the Launch of the BVI Yachting, Hotel & Tourism Association
Government officials, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. The privilege is mine today to witness the launch of the BVI Yachting, Hotel and Tourism Association from an idea to reality. People often hear me remark that businesses are the backbone of the economy because they provide the goods, services, jobs, tax revenue and corporate social responsibility that supports our daily lives. I would like to remind us that the business community is the most important stakeholder in the
BVICCHA Is Proud To Announce the Return of the Visit the British Virgin Islands 2023 Print and Digital Publication
The British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is excited to announce that the 2023 edition of Visit the British Virgin Islands will be distributed locally and available across the globe via the online edition later this year. Visit the British Virgin Islands will carry on the tradition of informing visitors about all the exciting things to see and do while presenting a fresh take on the best experiences found throughout the Virgin Islands. The richly illustrated book will
Anegada: The True Optimist
The Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) visited with businesses in Anegada on Wednesday, 6 October 2021. The team was eager to hear the concerns of the businesses and determine how to get their needs met. The most urgent needs are listed below. More visitors are urgently needed.Government fees are becoming more and more unsustainable.Residents reported traveling to Tortola to pay for a work permit that was marked ‘complete’ only to learn that it wasn’t and have to pay to return to pick it
From the Chairman's Desk: Your Chamber Needs You!!!
The past eighteen months have been a chaotic time for Virgin Islands business owners to keep their doors open, and on behalf of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association’s Board of Directors, Management and Staff, I salute all business owners for the persistence they have shown in safeguarding lives AND livelihoodsduring this global health crisis. We especially appreciate our membership for their continued support of the crucial work we do on behalf of the business community. Your business success
BVICCHA Partners with OECS to Discuss Needs of Local Manufacturers!
On 30 July, BVICCHA partnered with OECS to have a dialogue with Virgin Islands ‘makers’. This meeting was quite productive as the Competitive Business Unit (CBU) for the region was keen to learn more about the needs of the manufacturing sector in the region. The points the Executive Director, Keiyia J George pointed out were: The need for a networking platform where businesses can meet to find suppliers or goods;Support with garnering trade agreements so that trade within the region can be
BVICCHA Supports the Private Sector in Educating Employees on Vaccination and Encouraging Them to Get Vaccinated
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) conducted two online surveys in June 2021: one to assess members’ perspectives on the topic of vaccination and another to garner business stakeholders’ thoughts on testing. The member respondents represent over 50% of the total membership. Key highlights from the membership survey are as follows: 63% of members support vaccination;nearly 50% said they support requiring employee vaccination;over 90% of member respondents favour the use of rapid
BVICCHA and Summer Sizzle BVI Join in Support of VI Businesses
The summer is sizzling with the BVICCHA…literally. Summer Sizzle BVI and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association have created a unique partnership. Maybe even one no one would expect. Summer Sizzle BVI is a world-renowned fashion and lifestyle event that runs over multiple days. After missing 2020 because of the pandemic, Summer Sizzle BVI is back in its 12th year. On July 21 – 26, Summer Sizzle BVI promises to be the perfect time to relax, relate, and release after living through a year of the
Two Meetings and a Ribbon Cutting! An Exciting Chamber Week
One week, two breakfasts, and a ribbon-cutting (which may be the first of its kind in a while or possibly ever, but this is still being confirmed). It's been quite a few days in the world of the British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (referred to as ‘BVICCHA’ or ‘the Chamber’). Breakfast Meet ‘N Greet On Thursday, 3 June, the Chamber hosted a meet and greet for the newest additions to the National Security Council (the other members are the Premier, Deputy Premier, and the
CHTA Issues Guidance to Employers and Hotel Associations
The BVICCHA is a proud member of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). CHTA is the recognized representative of the Caribbean hospitality industry, as well as THE private sector developmental partner by international agencies active in the region, such as the European Union, the InterAmerican Development Bank, the Organization of American States, and the United States Agency for International Development. As the body that represents hotel associations such as the region, CHTA has worked with
BVICCHA Hears the Woes of Virgin Gorda Business Stakeholders
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association met with business stakeholders on Virgin Gorda last week, on Wednesday, 28 April 2021, as part of its new initiative to engage businesses across the territory. The focus of the meeting was to discuss their unique hardships and wins since international travel restarted in December 2020, as well as opportunities for improvements. The business owners who were present were not shy with their comments and offered questions/concerns regarding the timeliness of
BVICCHA Deeply Concerned About the Rise in Crime Against Businesses
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is deeply concerned about the increase in criminal activity in our community, particularly those targeting businesses in the past few months. The Chamber extends condolences to the family of the business owner who recently loss their life and extends support to all other owners who have been affected by crime in some way. The Chairman, Mrs. Shaina Smith-Archer, indicated that the Chamber has requested and confirmed a meeting with the Commissioner
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BVICCHA Hosts Compliance Training for NPO's
The AML/CFT and Compliance Fundamentals Training for Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), the first event hosted by the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA or “the Chamber”) this year, was held Friday, 9 April 2021, in the BVI Finance conference room. This event, held in partnership with the BVI Association of Compliance Officers and Practitioners (BVIACO), saw 50 individuals (virtual and in-person) assist their NPOs with meeting the requirements for NPOs to have Anti-Money
BVICCHA Warns of Delayed Economic Recovery
As the proactive Voice of Business, the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is continuing to raise concerns that the tourism sector is on life support. We are disappointed at the news that the opening of seaports has been delayed for a second time since the initial announcement to open seaports in December 2020. The seaports are the main point of destination access into the Virgin Islands and a further delay to April 2021 at the end of the regular tourism season is another blow to an
BVICCHA Votes in New Board Members
On 15th October 2020, the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) held their annual general meeting (AGM) virtually for the first time. The highlights of the meeting included having the Junior Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shareen Flax-Charles as the guest speaker, and the General Elections that were held during the meeting. Honourable Flax-Charles briefed the business representatives on the happenings for the business and economic sectors. Her speech included the
From the Chairman's Desk: AGM 2020 Remarks – “Stronger & More Resilient''
Good Afternoon fellow Directors and Members of the BVICCHA. In October 2018, when this Board of Directors was elected we knew we had a monumental task on the heels of the 2017 hurricanes; and 12 months later when I became the interim Chairman, I had no idea of how much of an adventure awaited us. It is quite a balancing act as the BVICCHA is actually two organisations in one and sometimes has competing priorities for the same scarce resources, but the vision of being the proactive voice of business
49th BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival Re-Scheduled
In light of the world circumstances, the 49th BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is now scheduled for March 29-April 4, 2021. 'What's not to Love about the BVI Spring Regatta' remains the theme for the 49th edition of the regatta and those words couldn't be more fitting. The event will include more classes and opportunities for sailors from across the Caribbean and the globe to come to the British Virgin Islands and experience fantastic racing, with warm tropical winds and water. The race week
BVICCHA Offers Pandemic and Economic Recovery Recommendations
Today, we would like to share the tireless work the BVICCHA has been proactively doing on behalf of the business community from the onset of this pandemic, recognizing the perceived economic fallout that would result and the predicted recession that would follow. We pause here to thank the Premier and the Minister of Health and their teams for their early and diligent response to the global pandemic to safeguard our community. We stand in support of public health and safety as the priority and we pledge to
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Crime Stoppers BVI Urges Residents to be Vigilant
Crime Stoppers BVI is asking the public to be extremely vigilant at this time to ensure everyone’s safety as we work as a community to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There has been a gradual increase in business and residential crime in the Virgin Islands in 2020. To help decrease these occurrences business owners should stay alert and look out for persons displaying any form of suspicious behavior. If the same vehicle is seen driving past regularly or the same person is seen lingering around, especially
