Background
The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) launched a Virtual Reality Museum in May 2026, bringing the territory's landscapes, marine environments, and cultural heritage to life for visitors and residents at Crafts Alive Village in Road Town, Tortola.
The Deployment
The museum opened on 7 May 2026 with a launch event attended by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce D. Hodge-Smith, and government and tourism stakeholders. Visitors don VR headsets to experience virtual tours of Tortolan sites including the Callwood Rum Distillery, marine environments, and the island's natural landscapes.
The project was developed in collaboration with Winged Whale Media, a production company specialising in immersive storytelling and virtual reality. Phase One, completed in August 2025, captured Tortola's marine life, cultural experiences, and natural beauty. Phase Two, to be finalised in July 2026, will extend the experience to the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost van Dyke.
Access and Admission
The VR Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 per person. The museum operates on a cashless basis, accepting credit card, debit card, and ATH payments only. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Strategic Objectives
The BVITBFC frames the project as both a destination marketing and cultural preservation tool. Key objectives include showcasing the territory's culture, history, and landscapes through immersive storytelling; expanding global accessibility to the destination; enhancing visitor engagement; and serving as an educational resource for schools and residents. The museum is also designed to support BVITBFC's trade show marketing, enabling international travel partners to engage with a virtual BVI experience remotely.
