London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Pressure Brought Gov't To The Table – Opposition Leader

Pressure Brought Gov't To The Table – Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader Hon. Marlon Penn said pressure from the tourism industry on the government’s tourism protocols is reaping success.
Penn, who was at the time speaking on NDP Radio on Monday, November 2 said, Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie is now holding talks with stakeholders with plans of reviewing certain aspects of the protocols required to enter the British Virgin Islands commencing December 1.

He said: “We have now seen after pressure from the industry persons speaking about cancellations and what’s happening … the Premier has said he will rethink and relook the protocols as it relates to the quarantine.”

“I learnt that he had a meeting over the weekend with some persons in the industry to discuss this, which is a good sign. And it shows that we brought the pressure to bear and he is sort of backpedaling on his initial thoughts,” Penn added.

The Opposition Leader said the government’s actions prove that they are reactive.

“We have always expressed this and the fact that the absence of a comprehensive plan to address the issue surrounding the economic circumstances of COVID-19. As we know, tourism is very critical to the economy, and it represents more than half of our GDP. Some estimates put it as close to $500- $600 million in terms of our economic output. It has more persons employed than in any other industry in this territory. So it touches every family and household,” Hon. Penn stated.

Meanwhile, Hon. Penn said it was unfortunate that most stakeholders were consulted only after the protocols received backlash.

“It is a huge concern, and it suggests that if we don’t get those adjustments right within the next 28 days we could potentially lose a large portion of that industry going into December to January which is the busiest time for us as a tourism destination,” he pointed out.

He continued: “We also have to look at the fact many persons in that industry who have been out of jobs for the last eight months, you taking about persons who haven’t gotten a paycheck for eight months. So we have to take on a more hands-on, more involved approach when we are dealing with an industry like that.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×