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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British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
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