The Virgin Islands economy is stagnating, plagued by crumbling infrastructure and a lack of strategic direction, according to Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton. Speaking at the January 17 press conference, Skelton criticised the government’s heavy reliance on cruise tourism and called for urgent reforms to revitalise the economy and improve residents’ quality of life.

“The economy is stagnant,” Skelton declared. “One of the major things the government relies on now is cruise tourism. While it’s doing well for our taxi drivers, restaurants, and tour guides, the local economy desperately needs a shot in the arm.”

Skelton highlighted the dire state of the territory’s infrastructure, citing roads, water systems, electricity, and waste management as areas in critical need of attention. Despite the allocation of $100 million for road repairs, he noted little visible progress.

“We can all see the disrepair. The roads are crumbling, the water infrastructure is failing, and garbage and derelict vehicles are piling up. Yet, the government doesn’t seem to have the capacity to fix these issues,” Skelton said.

He urged the government to tap into the Opposition’s expertise to address these persistent challenges. “We are advocating that the government utilise the skill set of the Opposition to help get these things done in the best interest of our people and our country.”

While the government recently announced record-breaking tourism numbers, with over one million visitors surpassing pre-2016 levels, Skelton questioned the effectiveness of this growth in boosting the local economy. He pointed out that cruise tourism accounts for 70-75% of these figures, with only 300,000 overnight visitors.

“Overnight guests contribute significantly more direct revenue to the local economy than cruise tourists,” he explained. “The government must shift its focus to attracting more overnight guests and ensuring sustainable tourism development.”

Skelton also criticised the government’s handling of the Tourism Conference held on Peter Island from January 13 to 14, where industry leaders and stakeholders discussed the future of tourism. He expressed frustration that the Opposition was invited only at the last minute.

“As members of the Opposition, we were not invited until the last second, and by then, we already had prior commitments. That’s a mistake on the government’s part and a missed opportunity for collaboration,” he said.

Skelton concluded with a call for the government to prioritise infrastructure repairs and adopt a more inclusive approach to governance. He stressed the importance of diversifying economic strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.

“Our people deserve better,” Skelton stated. “The government must stop making excuses and start making real progress. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the lives and livelihoods of the people we serve.”