Knocked Down, But Coming Back Strong: BVI Tourism 10 Months After Irma

https://www.bvitraveller.com/bvi-visitors-recovery-report

Well yes and no...time to spend money on the still screwed infrastructure on not on importing palm trees for CGB. Who is still without city water?? How is the power supply??Is anyone checking on the insurance companies??

Going to be a long time before the BVI recovers. Government is the problem. Example, no insurance on government buildings. Money being spent on consultants who give them reports for things they don't need or can't afford. I have never seen so many consultants being paid by a government. Forget the airport expansion. There are planes that can land at EIS without expansion. Spend money on the roads, water systems, electric grids, internet upgrades. Money is being spent on how to improve the postal system. Forget the postal system, do everything with e-commerce.

Both JetBlue and Delta have the A200 (former CS-100/300) on order. It can serve EIS just fine nonstop from the eastern US. First revenue flights in January for Delta. If the BVI offered to subsidize the route I bet they could get at least weekend service.
G

Make that a third sceptical homeowner! Searched for the trip report which mentioned that Trellis Bay is still a mess. So true. Tortola’s eastern end got the worst of Irma, and recovery is very slow. Probably 90% of the homes on our island are not yet fully repaired. Some have been abandoned. Many docks are gone, which impedes repair.

As noted, the government has neither insurance nor the funds to make repairs. Nearly a year on, the high schools are still not functional. And the promise to facilitate work permits for skilled labor has been largely empty (exacerbated by upcoming elections).

Private business has done a remarkable job, so groceries, fuel and supplies are generally available. We’re making our fifth post-Irma visit next month. Wish I could say I’m looking forward to it. This is going to be a very long slog.

Fourth skeptical homeowner jumping up on the soapbox. So many homes and infrastructure that still needs to be repaired and restored.

We are concerned about the pace at which the government is working to restore services. Basic services......

Ratsman; Government did give me offshore workers permits very quickly and without a lot of red tape. 8 workers at my villa working every day.

Tpcook, agreed on getting the workers in and working. We have 5 at Sandy Ground Estates. They were processed quickly and with little delays.

Our concerns are with basic infrastructure repair. It is hard to move forward and create opportunities for working island systems with all of the rubble both physical and emotional not being addressed.

Yes, the boats and bars are up and running.....but at the end of the day where and to what conditions are the tourist workers going home to each night?

Thorsten, good to hear. Our woodworker has had a tough time with both Labor and Customs. We should have had closets months ago. Our contractor also has a labor shortage, and another builder I know couldn’t get a trade license in his own name, even though he has been resident for 23 years. I’m starting to think this government wants to prolong the rebuild to provide jobs for years to come.

Agree very much with ski2play. Based on our recent vacation we too wonder “at the end of the day where and to what conditions are the tourist workers going home to each night?” This is a real concern, a real problem.

Regarding the government. We were told that a local company was willing to make a sizeable donation for the repair of one of the schools in VG. The government insisted they be given the money and they would manage the project. The company withdrew the offer. In a few weeks, Year 2 of limited learning and development of these students will begin under the same conditions of 12 months ago: No progress for them.

The kids are still in tents at the school in Apple Bay while the government ships in palm trees for CGB..hmmm. The kids cant vote ( yet) but the big lobby of cabbies can and do and want to make their $$$ shipping cruise shippers back to CGB..

That's pitiful.

I know that OIL nut Bay is rebuilding the school at North Sound

The roof is finally back on the school now. However, I don't know what else was destroyed or if they will be going back to the school or the tents in Sept.
But your post, Manpot, is SPOT ON !