The BVI Beacon

The BVI Beacon is a weekly newspaper that has been serving the community since its establishment in 1984 on Tortola, part of the British Virgin Islands. The inaugural issue, a 12-page publication, was released on June 7, 1984, by its founders Linnell M. Abbott and her niece, Michelle Abbott, from a modest home located at 67 Main Street, where the Dove Restaurant now stands. In 1991, the newspaper relocated to a charming West Indian-style house on Russell Hill Road, which has since undergone expansions to accommodate its growth.

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VI credit rating gets a boost

2 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

The territory's credit rating recently received a welcome upgrade from an influential financial analyst. Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited, known as CariCRIS, increased the territory's ranking from CariA, which is known as a good rating, to CariAA, the level just below the highest possible score of CariAAA. Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley leaped on the adjustment as a vote of confidence in the Virgin Islands.
Gov't had $5m in Bank of Asia

3 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Allison Vaughn |Shaun Connolly

Five days after financial regulators' surprise announcement that they are winding down the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley dropped another bombshell on Tuesday in the House of Assembly. The government, he said, had more than $5 million in the bank as of April 30. The premier was responding to questions from Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn, who followed up seeking more information.
Small protest occupies roundabout

3 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Rushton Skinner

Pacing around the Road Town roundabout on Monday morning, about half a dozen protestors called for the government to address problems ranging from water lock-offs and crumbling roads to mouldy buildings and high prices. As police diverted cars away - resulting in gridlock in much of the capital between 9 and 10 a.m. - talk show host Floyd "Heritage" Burnett, former political candidate Aaron Parillon and others passed a microphone and took turns airing grievances.
Spring Bay could reopen by year-end

3 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Rushton Skinner

Nestled between vacation villas on Virgin Gorda's southwestern tip, Spring Bay National Park is a more accessible beach experience for people unable to circumnavigate The Baths less than a kilometre away. Since last June, however, prospective visitors have been prohibited from visiting Spring Bay because of ongoing construction designed to mitigate runoff that officials said had been eroding the beach during heavy rainfall.
Speedboats go all in for poker run

4 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Rushton Skinner

Northbound and loud out of Virgin Gorda's Leverick Bay Sunday morning, more than 80 speedboats with names such as Diamond, BackShot and D'Menace roared around Mosquito Island before turning west towards Trellis Bay - the first stop on the 21st annual Leverick Bay Poker Run. Throughout the day, they skipped across the waves at full tilt, criss-crossing the territory's waters throughout the five-stop circuit around the Virgin Islands.
VI repped at Canada Crypto Week

4 weeks ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

The Virgin Islands recently made a push into the cryptocurrency market at a major North American event, BVI Finance said. The organisation stated that the territory used Canada Crypto Week this month to "solidify its reputation as a pioneering force in global financial services and digital innovation."As part of the trip, a VI delegation attended two major events - the Blockchain Futurist Conference and Consensus 2025 - and hosted a networking showcase, according to the agency.
Premier stands firm on company register

1 month ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley has struck a defiant tone by insisting that the Virgin Islands will go its own way despite pressure from British politicians to publicly disclose who owns VI-registered companies. Mr. Wheatley used his annual Territorial Address last week to hit back at critics in the United Kingdom parliament who have demanded that the VI grant unrestricted public access to the beneficial ownership register it plans to launch next month.
The OECS backs push for greater autonomy

1 month ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

The government's ongoing push for greater autonomy has received a boost from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The regional block threw its weight behind Virgin Islands leaders at a pivotal time as they urge London to remove the threat of direct rule ahead of negotiations on the first constitutional overhaul since 2007.
Hodge-Smith says tourism can weather crime spate

1 month ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

Because the Virgin Islands remains "relatively safe," the tourism industry shouldn't be badly impacted by a recent spate of gun crimes, a junior minister has said. Junior Tourism Minister Luce Hodge-Smith made the claim in the wake of a high-profile killing on May 10 that left Nyron Erickson dead beside the road in West End on a Saturday afternoon.
Amid turmoil, premier looks beyond US

1 month ago | bvibeacon.com | Shaun Connolly

Government plans an extensive business push into India and other major markets in response to United States President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies, according to Premier Natalio "Sowande" Wheatley. The Virgin Islands, Mr. Wheatley said, must rapidly expand its markets as it has done in the far east. He told the Beacon that an India trade mission is needed to "seek new business.""It's a key market.