In an effort to bring about a more cohesive and centralized approach to the planning and execution of festivals and fairs in the territory, the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has decided to shift the functions of the Festival and Fairs Committee to the BVI Tourist Board.
A recent Cabinet Decision Statement revealed that the Cabinet decided to have the Festival and Fairs Committee dissolved by repealing its principal act (Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee No. 4 of 2005).
Cabinet also instructed the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development to provide drafting instructions to the Attorney General’s Chambers to amend the Tourist Board Act, Cap 280, a move that will empower the BVI Tourist Board to undertake the functions previously held by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee.
In addition, all remaining assets in the VI Festival and Fairs Fund will be transferred to the BVI Tourist Board and the members of the committee under the existing law, will be back paid stipends covering the period from April 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023.
According to the statement, the stipend rates will be $1000 per month for the chairman, $800 per month for the deputy chairman, and $500.00 per month for committee members.