Opposition legislator Honourable Myron Walwyn has called the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) election endorsement by the United States Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “a stroke of genius”.
Walwyn made the comment during the BVI’s 2024 budget debate, alluding that the endorsement was a strategic move by Governor Bryan to back the administration that Walwyn claims has been “dropping the ball” on tourism.
He said as a result of the government’s lackadaisical approach to the tourism sector, the USVI has been benefiting tremendously, experiencing a surge in record tourist numbers in recent years.
Walwyn said he made attempts to highlight the issue prior to the 2019 General Election but said his rhetoric was manipulated and politicized to create a false narrative.
Walwyn’s criticism came after his assessment of the 2024 Budget numbers which he said fails to address the issues plaguing the tourism sector.
He also highlighted some of the major tourism developments that are occurring in some of the neighbouring Caribbean countries.