BVI needs more nightlife for visitors — Hodge-Smith

Hodge-Smith. Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith has called for more nightlife and entertainment activities in the Virgin Islands, saying the territory needs to improve its offerings to keep visitors interested and encourage longer stays. Speaking on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme, Hodge-Smith acknowledged that entertainment remains an area requiring attention as the government works to strengthen the territory’s tourism product. “But we do have to increase our entertainment events to keep them. Because you go to other places and there’s a lot of nightlife,” Hodge-Smith stated. “And I think nightlife is what we’re lacking in a sense for our visitors,” she added. Her comments came in response to a question about whether the proposed National Cultural Arena could help improve overnight visitor stays.

Hodge-Smith said the government had received feedback about the range of activities available to tourists and recognised the need to expand entertainment options. “So we need to enhance our entertainment activities to keep the interest of our visitors,” she stated. She said the proposed cultural arena could improve the visitor experience by providing entertainment, though such activities need not be confined to one location. The Junior Minister also discussed plans to encourage cruise passengers to return to the territory for overnight visits. She explained that Caribbean tourism destinations were increasingly focusing on converting cruise passengers into longer-stay visitors. Hodge-Smith said tourists were also showing greater interest in experiences involving local culture, history, storytelling and food, rather than simply taking tours or visiting beaches. The government recently presented plans for the National Cultural Arena at a…