It was a moment of hope, pride and love when the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) unveiled to the Virgin Islands community and the rest of the world its new BVILOVE brand on Monday, September 21.
The BVILOVE brand and campaign is planned to bolster the BVI’s image locally, regionally and abroad by focusing on what makes the BVI a special destination and business jurisdiction.
According to Premier, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, who is the minister responsible for tourism, the mantra of BVILOVE is an expression of the mission of his administration to create a Green BVI where all residents and all people love living Green.
He stated, “The unveiling of this logo, is reflected in the way we live, work and invest in the BVI – caring for our BVI because we love our BVI.”
Premier Fahie further explained the significance of this iconic logo and congratulated the BVI Tourist Board for spearheading this campaign.
In explaining the elements of the newly unveiled brand, Premier Fahie said, “The green leaf on the BVILOVE logo is that of our White Cedar, our Territorial Tree. The White Cedar tree is important to our culture and our people because the bark or wood of the tree was used to make the stern, stern posts and frame of our famous Virgin Islands sloop. The green leaf represents growth, drive, innovation, green diversification, revitalisation, green expansion, SMART strategies, development, personal and professional empowerment.”
Meanwhile, Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Sharie B. DeCastro, said that it was a very exciting day for the BVI as the Territory was on the verge of what will be one of the defining moments in history, especially in the COVID-19 era.
The Junior Minister stated, “COVID-19 has not dulled our stunning sunsets, has not soiled our white sandy beaches, has not evaporated our pristine waters and definitely has not taken the wind out of our ideal sailing and diving locations. Our Tourism products are still as awe-inspiring as ever and will remain in high demand when the global Tourism industry reopens.”
Chairperson of the BVI Tourist Board, Mrs. Kenisha Sprauve joined her voice and said that the BVI is looking forward to the opening of its borders to visitors in the not too distant future; that the time is ripe for the BVI to adapt and adopt to having this new brand reflected.
She said, “We at the BVI Tourist Board have drafted our Reopening Policy and Protocols and we are now going through the approval process to support a successful reopening. We intend as a Tourism industry to grow to be the best at our size and price point. We will continue to grow and improve our Tourism product for our local population and for our visitors. BVILOVE is our people. BVILOVE is reopening our Tourism industry. BVILOVE is welcoming visitors back to our shores.”
Newly appointed Director for Tourism, Mr. Clive McCoy said that this campaign is the clarion call for Tourism to take on a new look, a new feel, a new image and a new perspective.
He said, “BVILOVE is our people, and our people in turn are Tourism. Who we are is Tourism. So, in BVILOVE we will strengthen and prepare the industry in the ‘New Regular’, as we reopen our borders and step forward with vigour to welcome those who want to experience BVILOVE. As we move forward with this campaign, you will be seeing many of our BVILOVE promotional ads as we seek to be the best we can be as a luxury Tourism destination.”
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie stated that the unveiling and launch comes on the heels of the official rebranding of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA). The Port Authority and Tourist Board, he said, are critical agencies in sustaining the Virgin Islands tourism product during the COVID-19 era.
Note: New BVILOVE Logo