Canadian-born tourism leader promotes BVI's outdoor allure
October 17, 2025
With more freshwater lakes than any other country, Canadians have a deep connection to water and the outdoors. That makes the British Virgin Islands (BVI), recently trademarked as the Sailing Capital of the World, a natural vacation destination for Canadians who enjoy boating, sailing and coastal exploration.
“Canadians love the outdoors, and the British Virgin Islands offer the perfect outdoor experience,” said Deputy Director of Tourism Natasha Chalwell. “We are now the undisputed sailing capital of the Caribbean, where nature is at the heart of every adventure.”
The BVI now officially holds the titles of Sailing Capital of the World, Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean and Sailing Capital of the Caribbean. These trademarks reflect the territory’s strong reputation in the global sailing community.
Although the United States is the BVI’s largest source market, the overall number of Canadian visitors to the destination is increasing.
In addition to highlighting distinctive local attractions and implementing digital and social media marketing strategies, ensuring the availability of direct flights is essential for success.
There are no direct flights from Canada to the BVI, but Canadians can easily get there by connecting through other Caribbean hubs, including St. Maarten and Tortola.
The government plans to expand the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island to accommodate larger aircraft and direct flights from Canada and other international destinations.
The BVI has around 1,000 guest rooms, making it a small-scale destination focused on environmental sustainability.
“That works for us,” Chalwell said. "But we offer a range of exceptional properties, places where you can have an entire island to yourself with family and friends. We hope to attract new investment in the future.”
The territory boasts 21 national parks, an underwater national park and dozens of unprotected natural areas perfect for exploration.
Underwater exploration in the BVI is vibrant (Photo contributed)
The BVI has been promoting sailing events as a way to connect with Canadian tourists.
In September, Chalwell and her team visited Toronto for the J/105 North American Sailing Championship at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) that is ideal for big yacht events because of its excellent facilities, prime location and extensive experience hosting large-scale regattas.
Founded in 1852, it is one of the world’s older and larger yacht clubs.
For the last five years, the BVI has been sponsoring the J/105 class which includes competitive sailors from both Canada and the United States.
As part of the sponsorship, the Tourist Board brought a Caribbean-themed experience to the RCYC event, including flags, swag and live steel pan music.
“We met sailors who knew the BVI well,” said Chalwell. “They named their favourite restaurants and places they’ve visited. That connection was amazing to hear all the way in Canada.”
During the J/105 North American championship in Toronto, Natasha Chalwell and Vice Commodore Andrew van Nostrand exchanged burgees that is a traditional nautical practice (Photo contributed)
Upcoming sailing events in the BVI include the Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival in March 2026 and the Maxi Regatta, showcasing large, high-performance yachts.
For non-competitive sailors, the BVI offers several appealing options.
Visitors can choose from several vacation offerings, including bareboat charters for those who can sail, captained and crewed yachts (luxury experiences with a chef and captain) and line-of-sight sailing, allowing easy navigation between the 60 islands and cays.
If you're not into water activities, Sage Mountain on Tortola offers a great land-based alternative.
Reaching 1,710 feet, Sage Mountain National Park features lush forest trails, panoramic views and a cool, quiet escape from the beach. You can hike through rainforest-like terrain, explore several well-marked trails or just enjoy a peaceful walk in nature.
Sage Mountain National Park is an option for visitors who are not into water activities (Photo contributed)
Chalwell also oversees the BVI Film Commission which is focused on building a local workforce skilled in supporting film productions. Professionals are brought in to train residents in camera operations and production support.
The first BVI 284 Excellence Film Festival will take place from October 30 to November 2, featuring local, regional and international films.
We are beginning on a small scale with the intention to grow steadily,” said Chalwell. “As well, we hope to draw filmmakers and stories from the region.”
She has connections to Canada, having been born in Timmins, northern Ontario.
Chalwell spent her childhood travelling to the Caribbean for vacations. One Christmas, her family visited the BVI and fell in love with the islands, seeing opportunities for themselves. At age 11, she moved there with them.
“The water attracted me and I loved the sailing vibes,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be in tourism, but I was not sure what role I wanted to pursue.”
Chalwell holds an Associate degree in Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Management from Fleming College and a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism, Travel Services Management and Marketing Operations from Breda University of Applied Sciences.
Before taking up the new role last December, she was the Director of Marketing at the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) where she established and led the authority’s marketing department, spearheading a transformative rebranding initiative that significantly boosted visibility and stakeholder engagement.
In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused major damage to infrastructure and resorts in the BVI. One of the territory’s largest resorts, Peter Island Resort, remained closed for seven years and reopened in December 2024.
An evening on Sunset Loop at Peter Island Resort watching the sun go down (Photo contributed)
“We’re happy they were able to rebuild,” Chalwell said. “It was a tough time for us, but many properties have since reopened or been upgraded.”
Every Caribbean Island has its own distinct charm, but the BVI stands out for its natural beauty, world-class sailing, financial services and peaceful atmosphere which are underpinned by political stability and environmental care.
Several resorts in the BVI were recently honoured in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking among the Best Resorts in the Caribbean & Atlantic. They include Peter Island Resort, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Moskito Island and Bitter End Yacht Club.
These rankings highlight the BVI's reputation as a top-tier destination for luxury travel and exceptional hospitality in the region.
