The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

BVI Tourism Survey

International tourism takes place in a competitive and dynamic environment. The growth in international tourism in recent years has been accompanied by the introduction of new and improved tourist destinations and products. The information technology advances have rapidly changed the way business is now taking place. Therefore it is important that countries should review national policy relating to the tourist industry from time to time. It is more important for small states like British Virgin Islands (BVI) since it’s economy heavily depends on two products or activities mainly tourism and offshore financial services. Progressive marginalisation of the global economy could further marginalise small states’ economies. It is important that planners and decision-makers in both public and private sectors have access to accurate and relevant statistical information.

The DPU utilises as much of the data collected from the tourists as possible. Most of the information are the by-product of administrative records, which has to be completed by the tourists or the officials. At present tourist expenditure is estimated on the basis of an old survey data adjusted by number of arrivals and Consumer Price Index. The planned survey will provide detailed information on tourists’ expenditure, spending levels and customer satisfaction.

Tourism sector has emerged to become one of the BVIs largest GDP contributors (contributes more than 20% of total GDP). It is the largest source of employment in the territory (employs one-fourth of the working labour force) accounting for more than the Public Administration.

The average number of holiday’s visitors per month in BVI is more than the total population of BVI. Tourist expenditure inflow in turn creates additional business revenue, household income and government revenue. Expenditure by tourists also represents a substantial part of national consumption. However no price movement (indices) of tourism exists.

BVI Tourism Summary Statistics

SURVEY OBJECTIVES

The BVI Tourists survey will provide the following information:

• Demographic structure and country of residence
• Travel behaviour patterns
• Experiences, opinions and reactions
• Tourist expenditure in details

The most important part of the survey is to determine the structure of tourist expenditure i.e. to determine a typical basket of goods and services purchased by tourists while in BVI and the relevant proportions of overall expenditure. From the data collected the DPU will then construct a Tourism Price Index (TPI).

In the Caribbean region, no country is having a TPI at present, but some have shown interest in developing one according to Director, MIS and Research, Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). Therefore this project is important for the region. BVI has taken the lead and hopefully other countries will follow.

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This page was last updated on: Monday, 21st November 2005