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.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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