The Government has created a path for Virgin Islanders to enter the tourism accommodation sector by offering them concessions typically extended only to outside investors.
Dr. Natalio Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance, introduced the First-Time Tourism Villa Owners Programme in his 2027 Budget Address on October 27. The scheme targets residents who own land but lack capital to develop it into rental properties.
"As tourism grows, our people must see a place for themselves as owners," Wheatley said.
The initiative is designed to convert unused property into working businesses and household income. According to Wheatley, "For someone who has land but lacks the resources to develop it, this can open a path from an idle asset to an enterprise and a family income."
The Government has not yet released specifics about which concessions participants will receive, how to apply or when applications will open.
The announcement arrives as tourism numbers climb sharply. Between January and September 2026, the Territory received 1,071,716 visitors, representing a 28.3 per cent increase from the corresponding nine months in 2025, according to provisional Government data.
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