BVI Tourist Board named Caribbean Journal’s Green Tourism Board of the Year

In celebration of Earth Day (observed on April 22^nd), the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) dedicated the month to celebrating the preservation of the Earth and creating community awareness on the Seeds of Love initiative.  Activities included educating students on the importance of protecting the environment and some of the ways they can contribute to ensure a sustainable future. Various events included school plantings and discussions, voluntourism planting events, plant donation drive, and a planting at the Ellis Thomas Downs Race Track. The month-long celebration culminated with a Seeds of Love Community volunteer planting and beautification activity on Saturday, April 27 (click here for video of Saturday’s activity).  This initiative which was done in partnership with a local nursery and landscape contracting firm, Groundworks BVI, took place on the perimeter of the area surrounding the historic landmark attraction, the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum.

Last week, Caribbean Journal, the popular online travel news site, in announcing the winners of its Green Caribbean Awards, announced the BVITB as the winner of the Green Tourism Board of the Year award.  Caribbean Journal cited, “The BVI’s response to the storms of 2017 was nothing short of extraordinary”.  They further explained that the Seeds of Love program was part of an admirable focus on making the tourism industry in the BVI meaningful for the entire community.

Sharon Flax-Brutus, Director of Tourism said, “Our goal for the month was to engage the wider community in the Seeds of Love initiative. I am proud to say that this initiative has blossomed into a forest of opportunities.  Being recognized as the Green Tourism Board of the Year award inspires us to push even harder to ensure we secure an environmentally sustainable territory for generations to come.”  Flax-Brutus expressed her sincere appreciation of the BVI Tourist Board staff members spearheading the project: Chandi Trott, Annette Dalmida-Scatliffe, and Jahnai Caul. She extends a special thank you to Groundworks BVI, and Ministry of Transportation Works, and Utilities. Click here for video of Saturday’s activity.

The BVI Tourist Board’s Seeds of Love initiative was launched in 2017 in an effort to replant trees lost as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which impacted the Territory in September of that year.  For more information on the Seeds of Love program, visit www.seedsoflovebvi.org and for all other BVITB initiatives, please visit www.bvitourism.com.

About the British Virgin Islands

Known as a treasured destination rich in undiscovered experiences, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is an alluring archipelago comprising 60 islands and cays located 80 kilometers (60 miles) east of Puerto Rico, in the northwestern region of the Caribbean Sea. The main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke have attracted travelers globally with their cultural Caribbean authenticity. Located in Tortola, Road Town is the BVI’s capital.

Ranked #1 Best Place to Visit in the Caribbean by U.S. News for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, the BVI is where nature’s best secrets are kept with an abundance of pristine beaches, azure seas, towering sage mountains and burnt-orange sunsets. It’s no wonder the BVI’s Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke were featured on the “Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas” list in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2017 and 2018.