As a long-time lover of the BVI`s visiting every couple of years (first bareboat charter 1991, god I am old!) and someone who very definitely intends to return (funnily enough I have avoided the BVI for the last couple of years as I found it just too busy even in the off season) like everyone else on this forum I was devastated by what I have seen and read. Probably the best help we can give the islands in the medium to long term is our custom whether we are chartering a yacht or renting a villa.

I have a little insight into global disasters and crisis (my wife edits a magazine on the subject) I can see that alas it’s going to take some considerable time before life for those on the islands is even vaguely back to normal and right at this moment I can’t see how any sort of tourism can help. However not everything was wiped out and there are glimmers of hope that some businesses associated with the tourism industry although damaged could get back on their feet relatively quickly in comparison to other that alas have been completely devastated.

With this in mind (and I hope it’s not too early but then again I have a little insight into the subject) is it worthwhile consolidating into one post who survived and is ready to reopen (when power and water are back on, the initial rebuilding has occurred and tourists aren`t going to get in the way), which charter organisations have boats still and when they are considering offering them, which villas are available and which restaurants and bars are looking to reopen and when. By doing this we can promote getting visitors back to the islands quicker and hopefully spending rather than waiting for word of mouth or official tourism promotion (you know the cruise ships aren`t coming back any time soon and it will be the bold and the brave of us that make the first visits).

I know it sounds selfish but I am looking forward to a BBQ on the back of the boat with a cold beer and perhaps a little less commercialism for a while as we wait for everything to come back on stream (there were a lot less bars and restaurants in 1991!). Is this post too early or shall we get promoting/posting as we get the information and help the resilient islanders rebuild their businesses?

This is all on Facebook in several BVI groups. We started sailing in BVI Iin1994 for our 25th wedding anniversary. So we too are old. And as much as I have complained about FB being a big time waster it has been a great source of news regarding resilience, tragedy, survival and hope. Oh drat...I'm crying again!

To each his own opinion - all valid

But - to whom would you be promoting?
To the curiosity seekers?

I'm not sure the victims want to be the centre of curiosity, while they are busy trying to get their lives put back together.

I understand your feelings - that commerce will help.
Keep in mind, many of those servers have left the island, others will now be employed by gov't and homeowners - doing repairs/cleanup.
Keep in mind - the gov't expects electric power restoration to take 6 months

Until that time - tourists, for the most part... will be a nuisance
Especially the inevitable ones that will say "I paid good money to come here.. and I want this.. and I expect that.."

The return of cruise ships, will likely be a good "all-clear" signal for tourists to return

This is a chicken-egg dilemma... and on that, these are my thoughts

George_4 - check out this Q&A with the owner of Corsairs in Great Harbour JVD. He seems pretty upbeat 'will be serving drinks by the winter season'. Foxy's FB says they are open for business now.

https://www.pubclub.com/destinations/car...storm-this-bad/

I hope Vinny can be serving Pizza by the winter. Best Pizza in the islands!
G

Yes...CG...excellent post. As our friends await, a dry space, a simple tarp to cover even a small roof to be dry for one night. The mosquitoes that are growing should provide food for the BBQ. Should be fun!

From assessing all the social media pictures and posts looks to me like Foxy's, Corsairs, AiaBaba's, Hendo's all have a good chance to reopen this winter? Anybody have additions to this list? Now my wife says I'm an optimist but we plan on returning to JVD this winter.