Model Training in the Virgin Islands
On Saturday, 14 May, Summer Sizzle BVI in partnership with BVICCHA held &##120399;&##120413;&##120410; &##120392;&##120420;&##120409;&##120410;&##120417; &##120402;&##120420;&##120423;&##120416;&##120424;&##120413;&##120420;&##120421; 101 at Forge BVI, Pockwood Pond. Kristian Lopez, Model Agent from MUSE NYC and fashion designer, and her sister, Sessilee Lopez, supermodel and super mom, facilitated and worked with a group of future supermodel registrants on all things modeling. BVICCHA believes in
Dialing Up the Fun Factor with A Race to Foxy’s!
Dialing Up the Fun Factor with A Race to Foxy’s!Beloved Caribbean Bar Proud Sponsor of 49th BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival Dock to Foxy's. Photo: Foxy's Bar BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, March 18, 2022 – When contemplating world-famous bars, and importantly those located on fabulous beaches in the Caribbean, Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke is among the best. This year, day two of racing in the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival will take competitors for a morning race towards the West End of the
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
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 Weighs in on New Port Fees
Recently, the BVI Ports Authority issued a press release indicating that they were increasing fees for services the authority offers. Immediately with the release, businesses began to contact the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) and complain. What's very disheartening is that back in September 2020, the BVICCHA reached out to the authority's public relations office to inquire about fee increases and if any were coming for 2020. The reply received said, "…the BVI Ports Authority has
Woes of Businesses Are Heard by BVICCHA
As the advocate for all local businesses, the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) continues to hear the outcries of businesses still struggling to plan the remainder of their 2020/2021 Tourism Season as 1 December looms over everyone's head. Notably, the following concerns have been registered: How will visitors get to the Sister Islands? What’s the protocol for testing once there?The reopening portal (http://bvigateway.bviaa.com/) was scheduled to have been ready by 1 November, and it
BVICCHA Demands an Update on the Workforce Furlough Extension
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is demanding urgent communication from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration regarding the Government's decision on the workforce furlough extension which expires tomorrow, 31 October 2020. If this deadline is not extended, requiring severance payments will likely bankrupt many businesses. Further, it will become unduly costly to restart the hiring process. With no announcement from Government at this time, the Chamber now
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
BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is ON!
The postponement flag is being raised. The 2020 BVI Spring Regatta is now scheduled for October 23-25, 2020. The regatta was postponed by the BVI Government on Friday, March 13th, just days from the start of the 49th edition of the event. Multi classes, three days of great racing, and a Regatta Village for after racing parties means the stage is set for the 2020 BVI Spring Regatta. Registration starts Thursday, October 22 at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, the hosting sponsor of the Spring Regatta for
BVICCHA Encourages Premier to Set Phased Reopening Dates for Tourism Sector
On Monday, 15 June 2020, the BVICCHA’s Hospitality Committee, in partnership with the Tourist Board, hosted a Hospitality Industry Stakeholders meeting with over 150 stakeholders. Out of this meeting came a few concerns from the industry: 1) Can the territory not have a phased reopening for the different micro sectors; 2) Can the industry get a definite phased reopening date so they can market and prepare accordingly; 3) Are there resources the Government may need that the private sector can assist with;
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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
From the Chairman’s Desk: Your Business is Our Business
Fellow Virgin Islanders, Business Owners, Media Houses, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon and I pray all is well with you and your families in these tough times. At the beginning of this year when we all looked hopefully out at the dawning of a new decade in the 21st Century, one would not have seen the dual health and economic crises we now face. Firstly, on behalf of myself and the Board of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), I want to encourage everyone in the long journey
CARICHAM Press Statement - CARICHAM Partners with the BVI in Strengthening Intra-Regional Trade
Press release from CARICHAM regarding the Intra-Regional Commerce and Trade Symposium hosted by the Premier’s Office via Zoom on Monday, March 30th, 2020. CARICHAM is a network of Chambers of Commerce in the Caribbean with the aim to advocate and create enhanced value for members of the respective chambers; to reduce the risk of Members and their countries to disasters; share knowledge and best practices among the network; and to enhance transportation, trade facilitation, and promotion. March 31, 2020
Crimestoppers BVI Urges Residents to be Vigilant
There has been a gradual increase in business and residential crime in the Virgin Islands in 2020. Crimestoppers BVI is asking the Community to be extra vigilant at this time to ensure everyone’s safety as we work as a Community to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Business owners should stay alert and look out for people displaying any suspicious behavior, if the same vehicle is seen driving past regularly or the same person is seen lingering around, especially at opening and closing times. Vary your
Business Continuity and COVID-19
In light of the current pandemic Cornovirus-19 and its potential impact on business operations and the overall way of life in the coming weeks globally, the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) hosted a townhall meeting on 12 March 2020 for local businesses to gain more awareness on precautions to be taken in the workplace. Ministry of Health & Social Development and the Environmental Health Division officials presented to business owners in attendance as well as via a conference line and
2020 BVI Spring Regatta Postponement
Important Message 2020 BVI Spring Regatta Postponement In light of the statement made by the Government of the Virgin Islands on 13 March 2020 regarding measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BVI Spring Regatta Board has been instructed to postpone the 2020 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival as a matter of public health and safety. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and the event will be rescheduled when it
Building Consensus for a Comprehensive Tourism Sustainability Plan
The Hospitality Committee of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA), chaired by the President, Mrs Chaunci Cline, convened a stakeholder’s meeting on Thursday, 19 September 2019. The meeting attracted major hotel managers and villa owners, who expressed a sense of urgency to see greater improvement in the Tourism Industry. The main topics of discussion during the meeting was the need for a Comprehensive Tourism Sustainability Action Plan that would facilitate the
BVICCHA and CHTA Unite for The Bahamas
The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association partners with The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, its regional partner, to help the Bahamas in their time of need The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) is happy to partner with The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) to help the Bahamas due to the effects of Hurricane Dorian. We are grateful for this opportunity as we too have experienced the wrath of these strong and vicious storms. The CHTA has established a
