International
BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission Making Powerful Impact at Virtuoso Travel Week 2023
The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) is making a powerful impact at Virtuoso Travel Week, held from 12 to 18 August 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following the success of their participation last year, the BVITBFC delegation is focused on strengthening relationships with travel advisors, providing updates on the destination, and propelling the thriving tourism industry of the BVI forward.
Virtuoso is a leading global network of luxury travel advisors, who collaborate with top destinations and a select portfolio of the best travel brands worldwide. Travelers who have a Virtuoso Advisor gain access to expert knowledge, exclusive travel perks, support throughout their journeys, and, most importantly, enhanced experiences in the places they visit.
Led by Perla George, the Business Development Director of Tourism, the BVITBFC delegation includes key individuals who play a crucial role in promoting the British Virgin Islands as a premier travel destination. Alongside Ms. George are Odelcer Hanley, the International Marketing Manager, and Safrika O’Neal (Mid-Atlantic) and Shonda Maduro (Northeast), the Regional Business Development Managers.
This year’s participation at Virtuoso Travel Week promises to be highly productive, with the BVITBFC team having meticulously arranged approximately 200 meetings and appointments. Safrika O’Neal, Shonda Maduro, Perla George, and Odelcer Hanley are engaging in meaningful discussions with travel advisors, tour operators, and media representatives, further solidifying the BVI’s status as a top-tier travel destination.
In addition to the BVITBFC team, the delegation is joined by some of its tourism industry partners who are also Virtuoso Preferred and attending the event. These partners include Virgin Limited (Necker Island and Moskito Island), Rosewood Little Dix Bay, The Moorings, and Guana Island.
The BVITBFC team’s presence at Virtuoso Travel Week demonstrates the British Virgin Islands’ enduring commitment to its global travel partners. By actively engaging with top luxury travel professionals and providers from around the world, the BVI aims to showcase its exceptional, safe, and captivating offerings while fostering valuable connections that drive business growth.
Clive McCoy, the Director of Tourism, remarked, “As we navigate through the dynamic landscape of the travel industry, our engagement at Virtuoso Travel Week is a pivotal opportunity to showcase BVI’s authentic attractions and our valued industry partners. We remain committed to driving economic growth and showcasing the unique experiences the BVI has to offer.”
The United States has announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is under indictment on federal drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, formally asserting that the Venezuelan leader faces criminal prosecution in U.S. courts.
The announcement, made amid sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, confirms that Maduro is accused of conspiring to flood the United States with cocaine in coordination with armed groups and corrupt officials. U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro played a central role in a criminal enterprise that used Venezuela as a key transit hub for narcotics destined for American cities.
The case remains pending in U.S. federal court, with American officials saying the indictment will stand until Maduro appears before a judge.
The BVI Airports Authority is advising the traveling public of current regional airspace restrictions resulting from a notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The notice affects U.S.-registered aircraft and U.S.-based carriers operating within the Caribbean region. As a result, flights to and from the Virgin Islands may be subject to delays, diversions, rescheduling, or cancellations, depending on individual airline routing and operational decisions.
The Authority emphasized that these restrictions are outside its control and are being managed directly by the affected airlines in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Passengers are strongly advised to:
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Contact their airline directly for the most current and accurate information regarding flight status; and
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Confirm flight details before traveling to the airport, as schedules may change with limited notice.
The BVI Airports Authority said it remains in close communication with airline partners and relevant aviation stakeholders and will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
The Authority thanked the public for its understanding and cooperation, noting that safety remains the top priority.
Former President Donald J. Trump claimed on Saturday, January 3, that U.S. forces had detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Venezuela’s first lady Cilia Flores Mr. Maduro and removed him from Venezuela during an overnight military operation.
In a statement posted in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 3, Mr. Trump said American forces had carried out what he described as a decisive operation in and around Caracas, asserting that Mr. Maduro and Ms. Flores were taken into custody and flown out of the country. Mr. Trump did not specify which U.S. agencies were involved or where Mr. Maduro was being held.
There was no immediate confirmation from the White House, the Pentagon, or the State Department. As of early Saturday, U.S. officials declined to comment, and no formal announcement had been issued by the Biden administration or military leadership.
Reports of explosions in Caracas circulated on social media shortly before 2 a.m. local time. Journalists from CNN reported hearing multiple blasts and observing power outages in parts of the capital, though the cause and scope of the incidents remained unclear.
Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, said in a televised address that the government had not been able to confirm the whereabouts of Mr. Maduro or Ms. Flores. She accused the United States of what she called a “criminal military aggression” and said Venezuela had placed its armed forces on high alert. Her claims could not be independently verified.
In Washington, Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, said he had been briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him that Mr. Maduro had been detained under longstanding U.S. criminal indictments. Senator Lee said the operation was intended to enforce an arrest warrant and ensure the safety of U.S. personnel involved.
Mr. Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice since 2020 on charges including narcotrafficking, narco-terrorism, and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. U.S. prosecutors have accused him of leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns, allegations Mr. Maduro has repeatedly denied, calling them politically motivated.
For years, the U.S. government has offered millions of dollars in rewards for information leading to Mr. Maduro’s arrest. Until now, the charges had not been enforced through direct military action.
Legal experts said any U.S. military operation on Venezuelan soil would raise immediate constitutional questions, particularly in the absence of congressional authorization. Senator Lee himself has previously expressed concern over presidential war powers and the lack of a formal authorization for the use of military force.
Across Latin America, governments have historically opposed foreign military intervention in the region, and diplomatic reaction was expected to be swift. As of Saturday morning, Venezuelan state media had not acknowledged any detention of Mr. Maduro, and his location remained unknown.
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