The British Virgin Islands sailing industry is putting its mouth where its money is, trademarking several versions of “Sailing Capital of the World” after implementing dramatic rate hikes on charter boats from the U.S. Virgin Islands in June.
The BVI trademarked “The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the World™,” “British Virgin Islands – The Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean,” and “The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the Caribbean,” the British overseas territory’s Tourist Board and Film Commission announced Friday.
The trademarks last a decade, backdated to May 7, 2024, Tourism Director Clive McCoy said in a written statement issued through the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
“The British Virgin Islands has long been recognized as one of the best sailing destinations in the world thanks to our steady trade winds, navigable channels, manageable currents, multiple islands and protected bays,” McCoy said. “Securing these trademarks is a powerful step in protecting our identity, strengthening our position in the international market and ensuring that travelers, sailors and partners alike associate the BVI with sailing excellence.”
The goal, he said, was to promote the BVI as “synonymous with sailing adventures.”
On June 1, the BVI introduced a new fee structure for foreign-based charter vessels. Under the new regulations, term-charter operators are required to pay $7,500 annually for up to seven visits, with each additional visit priced at $2,100. An unlimited-entry license now costs $24,000 annually. Day-charter operators saw their annual fee increase from $200 to $8,500. Water taxi license fees remain unchanged at $2,500. BVI officials said the changes modernize outdated regulations and are intended to generate new revenue from the sector, which accounts for approximately 60% of the territory’s total visitor arrivals.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. had attempted to negotiate a lower rate, sparking fears of a trade war between the neighboring islands. Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach also met with BVI leaders and, despite high hopes and identifying common ground, was unable to sway his counterparts.
The increases raised concerns within the USVI’s charter community. Several operators relocated their fleets to the BVI to avoid the foreign-vessel fees, and more could follow. The association has urged Bryan to implement reciprocal licensing fees for BVI-based vessels operating in USVI waters, as well as stricter enforcement of customs, licensing, and safety regulations.
BVI officials argued some of the rates were outdated, having not changed in three decades.
In March, BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley warned of economic turbulence in “strange and uncertain times” as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened wide-ranging tariffs against trade with most nations.
“The impact of this turbulence will impact the Caribbean, including here in the Virgin Islands,” Wheatley said in a written statement in March. “We are also currently assessing the potential impact of tariffs by major countries on our local economy and how we can mitigate their effects on families and businesses. These are strange and uncertain times, and we need all hands on deck to manage the global economic headwinds ahead of us.”
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