“The Tourism Minister came alone.
Perhaps his PS and the Director of the Tourist Board were unaware that when their Minister speaks in a public forum, they should be there to hear the policy direction that he is taking.
It may be that they do not know, in practice, what it means to be a part of ‘the world-class public service’ that has become the mantra of the Deputy Governor.
The tourism minister gave the keynote address at the BVI Yachting, Hotel and Tourism Association (BVIYHTA) Stakeholders Meeting. He spoke to a full house but the meeting was also live streamed to all BVI and the world.
He recognized the value of the BVIYHTA and noted that he will be calling on its Director, as he does now, for advice and pledged annual support from the government to help the fledgling organization on its way.
The wide range of presentations made during the 3 days of the stakeholders meeting were gripping, trendy, thought provoking. The presenters came from within the Territory and overseas.
The public was mesmerized.
On day two, the Deputy Premier spoke on Service, Labour and Trade. She was accompanied by her PS and the Labour Commissioner.
And the PS, who is the ‘keeper of the records’ and responsible for policy implementation, and administrative guidance of the Ministry’s departments, embraced her role.
The BVIYHTA is, for BVI, an idea whose time has come. It is seeking to help to position the hospitality sector for success.
All BVIs sister territories and countries in the sub region have Hotel Associations and some of them have helped BVIYHTA to put together its road map.
During the Stakeholders meetings, comments were made about the prominence of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the respect it enjoys in government quarters.
That is due, in part, to its highly active Association of Registered Agents and BVI Finance, which is not a government Department although it receives significant government support.
The FSC recognizes the need for its associations and it does not consider that its powers and functions are minimized by their presence.
In the case of the Courts, established as they are, they need The BVI Bar Association to regulate its members, set standards and bring focus to the profession.
Why shouldn’t hospitality have the same? Why can’t hospitality recognize that an association of its members is vital to its success?
It will! But everything takes time.
The purpose of the BVIYHTA is to support its members; To bring focus to hospitality; To advocate for the industry; To lobby the government to focus on the policies and laws that will make the members and the industry successful.
Covid proved to the hospitality industry that without a voice to challenge many of the ‘fly by night’ policies that may emerge from time to time, the industry will easily find itself adrift.
That is where the Association comes in. It represents that voice. It represents sunshine and the dawn of a new day.
Fridays call upon you to remember the word:
Carpe diem.
“Seize the day.”
Happy Friday!”
The Friday Sage….