Local News
Eight Students To Compete for Junior Ambassador of Tourism Title
Eight students will compete for the title of Junior Ambassador of Tourism on Wednesday, June 5 at UP’s Cineplex in Road Town at 2 p.m.
This competition, organised by the Training Department of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), underscores the growing engagement of the British Virgin Islands’ youth in the tourism sector.
The winner will represent the British Virgin Islands at the Annual Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress in the Cayman Islands from September 4-6.
This year’s competition is especially notable, featuring participants from all eight secondary schools in the Territory for the first time. The competitors and their respective schools are:
- Carey-Ann McKie, Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division
- Soccorria Telseford, BVI Seventh Day Adventist School
- Annabelle Maina, Cedar International School
- A’Nia Turnbull, Ciboney Centre for Excellence
- Asaud Smith, Claudia Creque Educational Centre
- Adrianne Thomas, Elmore Stoutt High School
- De-Andra Sylvera, St. George’s Secondary School
- Brenique Deane, Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies
Last year’s regional competition saw a historic victory with Naomi Onwufuju of Elmore Stoutt High School clinching the title. This year’s contest promises to build on that success, with students presenting their views on four tourism topics provided by the CTO. Each participant will have three minutes to present, followed by a mystery question round where they will have five minutes to prepare and one minute to respond.
“We have eight competitors this year, and we are ecstatic to see the outcome and the unique perspectives each student brings to the tourism table,” said Mrs Natalie Penn-Lake, Standards and Training Manager at BVITBFC and coordinator of the territorial competition.
The students were encouraged to participate by their teachers, with invitations and competition criteria distributed to all secondary schools. Director of Tourism Clive McCoy emphasised the competition’s role in raising awareness about the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry among the youth. “This competition is a vital part of raising awareness about the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry among the public, especially the youth. It often generates great ideas and lively debate. Some participants also go on to pursue careers in tourism or become staunch tourism advocates,” McCoy said.
The winner will receive a one-month internship at BVITBFC, $1,000 cash, participation in the regional competition, a one-year tenure as CCT Brand Ambassador, and a laptop. Other prizes for the finalists include iPads, other electronic gifts, and gift certificates for an ATV excursion on Jost Van Dyke.
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Tola Radio Battles Legal Dispute Over Shutdown, Calls for Public Support
Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, known as “the people’s radio,” has been off the air for 14 days amidst a legal standoff with Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT). Managing Director Floyd P. Burnett, also known as “Heritage,” is urging public support as the station navigates what he describes as a targeted attack on freedom of speech and locally-owned businesses.
Mr. Burnett alleges that despite meeting all payment requirements and deadlines, CCT refused to accept Tola Radio’s payment and later disabled the station’s broadcasting equipment. “They physically touched our equipment and locked them off, despite written legal letters asking and instructing it not to be done,” he stated.
The dispute follows CCT’s October announcement terminating its service agreement with the radio station. CCT clarified that Tola Radio could retain its services if it became a paying customer, but according to Burnett, his payment was rejected without justification.
The controversy escalated when Burnett claimed an attempt was made to have him arrested and charged with attempted murder. “The public was to wake up and hear the radio off along with hearing I was arrested and charged, but God is greater than man!” he said.
Efforts to secure an extension for relocating Tola Radio’s equipment were also denied, Burnett said. Additionally, an urgent injunction filed in the High Court was postponed by a visiting judge until November 22 without hearing any arguments.
The ongoing shutdown has left eight employees without income, caused significant financial losses, and breached client agreements. Burnett criticized government officials for their lack of action, accusing them of failing to address the issue despite the government being a major client of CCT.
“Like most problems facing the BVI, they can’t [find] no way to help us! Even though the government is the tower people’s biggest client,” Burnett remarked.
Burnett is calling on the public to boycott CCT in protest. “Plug out the phone, plug out the chip, don’t pay your bill! We need to make a statement to corporate BVI today!” he urged.
He framed the situation as a broader fight for “freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information,” asserting that the attack on Tola Radio sets a dangerous precedent for other local businesses.
Despite the challenges, Burnett assured Tola Radio’s listeners and partners that the station will resume broadcasting soon. “We will be back on air shortly, hopefully before the day is out,” he promised.
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