Business
BVI recognised as “Sexiest New Destination” by American Airlines
By BVI Airports Authority
(PRESS RELEASE) — The Virgin Islands is said to be American Airlines “Sexiest New Destination” as the Territory gears up for a new service with the airline to Miami, which is expected to be launched on June 1.
In an article titled “Bringing Sexy Back”, American Airlines confirmed that the Network Planning Team won the Cranky Network Award for Sexiest New Route – Short Haul for American Airlines.
“We are going to rock this destination. Congratulations BVI!” a representative from American Airlines said while congratulating the Territory on achieving the recognition.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport in anticipation of the start-up of the service and the increase in passengers through the facility.
Minister of Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer stated that the success and growth of the Territory’s economy is heavily reliant on hassle-free access and connectivity.
He said the direct connection to the US Mainland by American Airlines will prove to be a “game-changer” and one of the main economic drivers to the main industries in the VI.
Honourable Rymer said, “I am thrilled that American Airlines has chosen to extend their services to the VI as the Government and the Authority continue to work tirelessly to enhance and increase air access to and through the Territory. Connectivity through air service development will continue to be our main focus ahead of the proposed airport development project.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Theodore E. Burke, said, “the project implementation team from American Airlines visited the Territory from February 20 to24 and met with officials from the BVI Airports Authority and other industry stakeholders to ensure a smooth launch and integration of the service to the Territory.”
The team included specialists in project implementation and management, Information Technology, customer experience, compliance and airport and airline operations.
Discussions were held with the officers from the Departments of Immigration and Customs, several hotels and other service providers at the airport. They also met with members of the Authority’s Board of Directors to share their vision for partnering with the airport and by extension the Territory along with the next steps in the project ahead of start-up.
Mr. Burke pledged the full support and commitment of the board to the project which he stated will undoubtedly prove to strengthen the VI’s economy with the ease of air access.
“Our board is aware of the difficulties with travelling to the Territory and as part of our mandate, we are committed to improved air access not only to the US Mainland but also within the region and will continue to partner with airlines to bring this to fruition,” he added.
Managing Director Mr. Kurt Menal said the authority is currently undertaking the necessary steps to prepare the airport for the significant increase in passenger movement that will result from the direct connection by American Airlines.
Mr. Menal said, “We are cognizant of the reality that air service development has outpaced necessary infrastructural enhancement given the highly desirable nature of the Virgin Islands as a destination for pleasure and business. In this regard, certain aspects of the proposed airport masterplan will be initiated with a view to incrementally providing the additional capacity that will be required to efficiently process the added volume of passengers.”
The Managing Director added that the intention is to implement seamless processes throughout the passenger journey to ensure that guests experience at the Territory’s airport is one befitting of the warmth of the Virgin Islands.
The authority’s team has already identified the office and check-in counter spaces to be occupied by American Airlines for their operations. The immediate next step will see the airlines installing the necessary equipment and infrastructure at the airport, followed by the recruitment and training of the necessary personnel to staff their operations.
The authority will continue its efforts to enhance the customer experience through our airports with crucial improvements and upgrades to our facilities.
Business
British Virgin Islands Seeks Consultancy for Digital Economy Overhaul
The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.
According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:
Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment
This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.
Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap
In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Phase Three: Enabling Environment
The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
Business
Xmas in July Donates £6,000 to Support Marine Conservation in the BVI
Wally Castro Marine, organisers of the 2024 Xmas in July event, have donated £6,000 to Beyond the Reef, a non-profit organisation dedicated to marine education and preservation in the British Virgin Islands. The funds were raised through the sale of the event’s official reusable stainless steel tumblers, one of several eco-friendly initiatives introduced this year.
“This initiative reflects our desire to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our beaches,” said Wally Castro, owner of Wally Castro Marine. “We are proud to support a local organisation that shares our dedication to environmental stewardship.”
The 2024 Xmas in July event, held on 20th July at Pond Bay Beach in Virgin Gorda, attracted nearly 5,000 attendees and 500 vessels. It set a new standard for eco-conscious planning by minimising its environmental impact through reusable products and strict waste disposal measures.
Members of Beyond the Reef were actively involved in overseeing tumbler sales, while the Valley Sound Lions Club provided local dishes, further supporting the fundraising efforts.
“We are deeply grateful for this donation,” said Kendyl Berna, founder of Beyond the Reef. “Our oceans are a vital but fragile resource, and it’s crucial that everyone who enjoys the sea does so responsibly.”
The event, organised by Wally Castro Marine in partnership with the BVI Tourist Board and Marcos Rivera, highlights the importance of sustainable tourism in the region.
“By choosing the BVI, attendees support our local economy and marine tourism industry,” said Clive McCoy, BVI tourism director. “They also help our local non-profits continue their vital work.”
For more information, visit Wally Castro Marine’s website or contact the BVI Tourism Office in Puerto Rico.
Business
Flow Pledges Full Restoration of Fixed Network Following Tropical Storm Ernesto
Leading telecommunications provider Flow has reaffirmed its commitment to fully restoring its fixed network, including broadband, landline, and television services, after widespread damage from Tropical Storm Ernesto. The company’s technical teams have been working tirelessly to reconnect customers affected by the storm, which disrupted essential services across the region.
Since Ernesto made landfall, Flow has mobilized additional resources, including field technicians and engineers, to expedite recovery efforts. The primary focus has been on assessing and repairing damaged infrastructure, reconnecting homes and businesses, and ensuring that critical services are brought back online throughout the Territory.
“Within the first three days, we restored 95% of mobile connections. Our fixed network connectivity has significantly improved from 20% to 93% for internet service,” said Nadia A. James, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Flow. “Our teams are dedicated to restoring connectivity for impacted customers and are working around the clock, seven days a week, to make this happen. We will continue to update the community on repair progress.”
Restoration efforts are underway in numerous Tortola communities, including Belle Vue, Road Town, Huntum’s Ghut, Lower Estate, Long Look, Greenland, Fat Hog’s Bay, Sea Cow’s Bay, Towers, Carrot Bay, Mount Healthy, Spooner’s Estate, and Chalwell Estate. Concurrent work is also taking place in Virgin Gorda.
“We know how vital connectivity is, especially in the wake of a storm,” added James. “Our goal is not just to restore services but to rebuild a stronger, more resilient network that can withstand future storms. We are committed to reconnecting our customers and delivering the reliable service they expect from Flow.”
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