The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) will introduce a new feature at the upcoming Virgin Islands Tourism Summit 2026 with the launch of BVI Market Connect: Partner Exchange, a structured, in-person engagement platform designed to strengthen collaboration between local tourism stakeholders and the Territory’s international market representatives.
Scheduled for the morning of Thursday, 11th June 2026, the session marks the next phase of the BVI Market Connect initiative, evolving from a successful series of virtual engagements in 2025 into a high- impact, face-to-face experience. Registration for the session can be done on Day 1 of the Summit.
Held as part of the Virgin Islands Tourism Summit (10th to 11th June 2026), the Partner Exchange will facilitate a series of timed, one-on-one meetings between local industry partners and BVITBFC’s global network of representatives and agency partners.
“This is a natural progression for BVI Market Connect,” said Natasha Chalwell, Deputy Director of Tourism. “After building strong foundations through our virtual sessions, we are now creating space for meaningful, in-person dialogue that allows our stakeholders to connect directly with the teams representing the BVI in key markets. It’s about strengthening alignment, sharing insights, and unlocking real opportunities for collaboration.”
The session will adopt a “speed networking” format, with short, focused meetings designed to maximize interaction and productivity. Participants will include representatives from hotels, villas, charter companies, marinas, attractions, and other tourism-related services, alongside international market experts covering the BVI’s primary source markets.
Key markets represented will include:
• North America (U.S. & Canada) – Public Relations, Advertising, and Business Development
• United Kingdom – Public Relations and Business Development
• Europe (Germany, Italy, France) – Public Relations and Sales Representation
• Puerto Rico – Public Relations and Business Development
• Caribbean – Regional Marketing and Business Development
• BVI Film Commission
During the exchange, local stakeholders will have the opportunity to present updates on their products, services, and upcoming developments, while international representatives will provide valuable market intelligence, highlight emerging trends, and outline opportunities for joint marketing, public relations, and trade partnerships.
The session is designed to deliver tangible outcomes, ensuring participants leave with actionable insights and clear pathways for engagement. It also reinforces the BVITBFC’s commitment to aligning its global marketing strategies with the on-the-ground experiences offered within the destination.
Key objectives of the Partner Exchange include:
• Strengthening direct relationships between local stakeholders and international market representatives
• Providing real-time insights into global travel trends and consumer behavior• Creating opportunities for increased participation in cooperative marketing and trade initiatives
• Enhancing alignment between destination marketing and product development
• Delivering a practical, results-driven component to the Tourism Summit
The introduction of the Partner Exchange underscores the continued evolution of the BVI Market Connect programme, which began as a virtual webinar series in 2025 aimed at increasing knowledge-sharing and industry collaboration across key markets.
By bringing this initiative into a live, interactive setting, the BVITBFC is creating a more impactful platform for engagement—one that supports sustainable tourism growth and strengthens the Territory’s competitive position globally.