Nominated by The New York  Times as #2 of places to visit in 2020, The British Virgin Islands has been recognised for its efforts on environmental conservation and latest Hotel and resorts reopenings  after the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on 2017.

Here is what they are saying…

 

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

An island chain devastated by hurricanes rebounds with an environmental bent

Hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the British Virgin Islands have been slow to recover. But this year, a number of resorts will reopen, including Rosewood Little Dix Bay, the iconic resort originally developed by the conservation-minded Laurance Rockefeller in 1964, which was under renovation when the storms hit; it reopened this month. On Norman Island, planned developments for 2020 include three hotels, a marina and an observatory. Offshore, the ship William Thornton, which once housed the floating bar known as Willy T, was damaged and is now part of an artificial reef, but a new vessel has replaced it. Many properties have a new environmental focus.Necker Island, the private island owned by Richard Branson, will finish rebuilding by April, and introduce uniforms made from recycled plastic found in the ocean; in 2019, the resort installed wind turbines that have enabled it to run on up to 90 percent renewable energy. In summer 2020, the Bitter End Yacht Club will open a new marina using recycled materials and a market to provision boat crews; accommodations are scheduled to follow in the fall. Cooper Island Beach Club on Cooper Island, a 15-minute water taxi ride from Tortola, plans to offer packages combining island stays with emissions-free sailing trips aboard a new electric-powered yacht from Voyage Charters.”

Credits:  The New York Times

By ELAINE GLUSAC