3 days Ago By Davion
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has expressed frustration over the lack of engaging activities for tourists arriving in the territory. During the budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday, Fraser painted a vivid picture of visitors wanderin g aimlessly with little to do after disembarking from cruise ships. “When you see some days ago I went out by the cruise ship.
.. I was amazed at the size of those ships,” Fraser recounted.
“Then those people get off the ships...
and they’re walking around like wandering Jews. There’s nothing to do, there’s nothing to see”. The veteran legislator emphasised the urgent need to restore historical sites and create attractions that align with the expectations of tourists who read about the territory’s history before arriving.
He suggested restoring iconic sites, such as the historic Thornton House, which he said could become a major draw with proper planning and investment. “It’s not just the structure itself, but the area where it sits can be amalgamated with the structure to form a real tourism attraction,” h e said, urgi ng the government to invest in restoration efforts. The rest of the Caribbean eating our lunch Fraser compared the BVI’s tourism offerings to those of neighbouring Caribbean islands, pointing out that other countries, such as St.
Kitts and St. Vincent, are outpacing the BVI by developing modern accommodations and inclusive environments. “The rest of the Caribbean eating our lunch,” he lamented.
He also warned that the BVI risks being left behind without significant investment in its tourism infrastructure. Fraser also highlighted the inadequate state of the roads leading to popular areas, calling out specific issues in his district. He explained tha t efforts to repa ir these roads would be futile without addressing underlying problems such as poor drainage systems.
“The drainage situation along the Drake’s Highway in Sea Cows Bay is atrocious. It’s non-functional. All the culverts are blocked,” he said.
Fraser warned that any attempts to resurface the road without fixing these issues would result in the asphalt deteriorating within two years. The Deputy Premier stressed the importance of adopting a holistic approach to enhance the territory’s appeal, including better roadways, upgraded facilities, and carefully planned attractions. He urged the government to focus on creating a more dynamic and competitive tourism product.
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