British Virgin Islands Establishes Travel Agent Advisory Board

Road Town, Tortola Photo: British Virgin Islands Tourism

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) has established a 16-member travel agent advisory board in New York, representing more than 4,500 agents.

The board members, owners/managers of firms that specialize in high-end travel, have combined revenues of $3.2 billion, BVITB said, with the Caribbean the largest market for the majority of the agencies.

In a press statement, Director of Tourism, Sharon Flax-Mars remarked how the first meeting of the board this spring is helping the bureau “garner first-hand knowledge and insight into the current travel trends, a better understanding of what the discerning traveler is looking for and to share some of the ideas which the BVITB is working on to enhance its relationship with the travel trade.”

During the meetings, there was discussion on key issues impacting the BVI’s tourism sector, including airlift, selling small hotels and villas, niche marketing, and events, and providing tools for travel advisors to sell the BVI.

The meeting was one of three which will be held over a two-year period. The next will take place in November. The Board is not releasing the names of the members.