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Crafts Alive is dead!

- despite cruise tourism numbers reportedly up
Crafts Alive a ghost town despite three cruise ships in port yesterday, November 29, 2016. Photo: VINO
At some points tourists trickled in Crafts Alive village. Photo: VINO
At some points tourists trickled in Crafts Alive village. Photo: VINO
There were many sales being offered in Crafts Alive yesterday, November 29, 2016 but no one to buy. Photo: VINO
There were many sales being offered in Crafts Alive yesterday, November 29, 2016 but no one to buy. Photo: VINO
Two of the three ships that called to the Virgin Islands on November 29, 2016. Photo: VINO
Two of the three ships that called to the Virgin Islands on November 29, 2016. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Mark (Hon Mark H. Vanterpool), he don’t do nothing for us. All that comes out of his mouth is Tortola Pier Park. Nothing about Crafts Alive,” an expression of frustration from Crafts Alive stall holder Irma Smith.

Smith, along with several others, reached out to the media yesterday November 29, 2016 frustrated about the poor level of sale they have been getting at the craft center of Tortola. The glaring effects of something not being done right was evident with three large cruise ships in at Tortola Pier Park and a scant amount of tourists visiting the Crafts Alive village.

“Not one, not two but three large ships in here today (November 29) and look in here, you can count on one hand the amount of tourists that come through here. What are we doing? All the attention is being put on the Pier Park and the booklets on the ships are for Main Street. What about Craft Alive? How are we to survive?” asked Ms Smith.

“I am calling on the Minister again, he knows Irma, I am not afraid to speak, Mark got to do better for us he isn’t only responsible for the Pier Park this and the Pier Park that, promote us too, the tourists don’t come because we are not promoted and that’s the naked fact.”

No sales, no money for rent

Ms Smith was not the only one that voiced such sentiments. While the others declined to be named, they did expressed similar discontentment. “They have to do something for this small industry in this ‘nobody care for us land’. That what I think we are because of the treatment they giving us. We do our best to get the supplies we know the tourist needs and yet our government is not doing anything to help us get sales,” said one stall holder.

It was expressed by others that it is time that the management spend more effort at promoting Craft Alive with the energy and enthusiasm they do for the Tortola Pier Park. “Make it part of the package that the taxi buses come to this area and spend at least one hour of each run. In that way, even if the passengers never heard of Crafts Alive when the taxi bus bring them they will shop or just browse out of curiosity. Somebody needs to use some initiative here man. Main Street and the Pier Park killed Craft Alive,” said another.

“Look almost every stall in here has up sale signs. You meant to tell me nothing wouldn’t attract the tourist? The very few who come by spend a bit and that’s what we want. Let a lot come and everybody will be smiling instead of being here watching three big a$$ cruise ship in and only wishing for a miracle to see a group come and check us out here,” said another.

Most stall holders said they are running at a loss as they are not getting sales but are made to honour their obligations of paying a rent to Government. “I can’t pay if I am not selling, it’s as straight as that, so I am one of them that owing for month. I am not giving up my business because I know it can work but all that is needed is that push from Mark and his government.”

One stall holder went as far as to suggest that there be Crafts Alive touts at Tortola Pier Park to promote their business by luring tourists to the spot. “Everything is a hussle these days and if it calls for extreme then maybe we will have to even go with trays on our heads out there like back in the days,” one stall holder said.

Meanwhile, one of the concerns expressed is that taxi drivers only take the tourists to the beaches and back to the cruise ships, therefore denying Craft’s Alive vendors a bite of the tourism cake. Other lamented being removed from Wickham’s Cay 1 where the vendors were closer to the tourists.

Tourism numbers up

Meanwhile, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith in a statement on November 14, 2016 said statistics from the Central Statistics Office show that at the end of August this year, the Virgin Islands welcomed a total of 781,465 visitors, up 27.1 percent from the same period in 2015 including 465,870 cruise visitors, an increase of 47.9 percent; 301,841 overnight, an increase of 3.6 percent; 12,754 day trippers, an increase of 52.1 percent.

"This season, we expect to see a record number of cruise visitors and we expect to see an increase in the overnight arrivals," Premier Smith stated.

It seems, however, that Crafts Alive vendors still have nothing to cheer about.

49 Responses to “Crafts Alive is dead!”

  • boys on the block (30/11/2016, 08:44) Like (11) Dislike (13) Reply
    Carvin still cant beat mark
    • just asking... (30/11/2016, 09:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      is he running?
    • the rock (30/11/2016, 16:43) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
      Irma u talking nonsense, the majority of the tourist does go down to craft alive, u all just cant keep them, every vendor has the same products, what u should be complaining about is tourist board stop having live entertainment down there, that I think its whats missing at the craft alive, the place is boring now, so stop jumping on mark and jump on the tourist board, one more thing, u guys have a gold mine down there, u all just cant realize that!
  • wha yo bawlin fah? (30/11/2016, 08:49) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    All ayo voted NDP so tek wha ayo get
  • for the little man and woman (30/11/2016, 08:50) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    in our country- No one care about us.
    • Ocho (30/11/2016, 10:31) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      Did you listen to the accents???
    • Yep (30/11/2016, 12:14) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      You're on your own. Have a talk with the taxi drivers who are shuttling the tourists to the beaches. Bribe them into bringing their loaded safari to your shops for ten minutes each trip.
      (Good luck with that though for that traffic is ridiculous.)

      Give them a cold bottle of water while they browse. Give samples of VI made goods, food anything to keep them in the stores. Get creative. Have a Christmas Party for the taxi drivers who do come. Do something... You're on your own....
  • True (30/11/2016, 09:07) Like (58) Dislike (8) Reply
    what about the Vendors 1: pay their rent on time and up to date 2: Do their own advertising, its a business it doesn't belong to the government, never heard such entitlement rubbish.
    • Hmmm... (30/11/2016, 11:10) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am in total agreement with you. There are running a business and expect the government to do their marketing in addition to the renr subsidy they are already recieving? What is their responsibility in this? Are they just suppose to show up?
    • Hhm (30/11/2016, 11:53) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      You cant pay rent if you only make $10 a month yes 10 dollars a month.
      • Wonder (30/11/2016, 12:31) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
        If you are only making $ 10 / month then the writing is on the wall. Cut your losses now and give up the space to someone who can 1. afford it 2. wants it
    • @ True. (30/11/2016, 12:44) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      True.. You are talking a crap of Nonsense. Mark and NDP put them people there in a haze to eliminate the tents. They should have find a spot closer to the Pier for Those Vendors. They are at a huge disadvantage. How can they pay if they are not making money..if you talking about advertising tourist board can help with that.
  • Citizen (30/11/2016, 09:10) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just an idear why not have every stall concentrate on selling something different. Seams like everyone selling the same thing. More nice local items please.
  • Online Now (30/11/2016, 09:12) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sell decent and original products and you will get customers. Advertise yourself - you are not Governments responsibility!
  • True (30/11/2016, 09:22) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ungrateful set of people. The Government gave them a proper place to sell their wares and they want Govt, to advertise on ship for them too? Think about it again. Do as Pier Park does. Get some vendors to sell different things. They left the USA, the home of cheap clothing to come to BVI to buy what? What is made in China? No, get real and dare to be different from the other vendors. Who tell them they could put extra tables outside. This should stop. It looks ghettoish. Sell from inside your shop.
    • indeed (30/11/2016, 10:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The government did indeed give CA a place to do business, at a cost of $ 45,000 per building (more expensive on a square foot basis for may luxury residences), although CA businesses are supposed to be paying rent, which by some accounts they have not. CA should have seen the writing on the wall when PP was being built and should have strategized as to how they could differentiate themselves from PP. By the same token, at least in theory, the gov should have considered the economic impact on its investment in CA, since it seems it's not generating much in rent. Lastly, retail is a very tough competitive business anywhere. It's not just about buying stuff and selling it at a mark up. It's not about cheap or luxury. It's about value. It's about understanding what customers need and want. Alas, the customers CA and PP are appealing to tend to be spendthrift, and in many cases have seen the same goods in other ports (sometimes for less).
  • .... (30/11/2016, 09:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Main Street is dead.
  • Ironic (30/11/2016, 09:47) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's funny to be seeing the Pier Park in this conversation when some of us over there are in the same position if not worse. Please don't think those ships are doing anything for us.
  • Linda (30/11/2016, 09:50) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    god dont like ugly its a curse .because they dont want to pay rent .so they will not proper. greedy greedy vendors
  • saying (30/11/2016, 10:22) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you all pay the rent he will have money to help you all .Some of you there not paying a cent and still want the government to help. It was not set up to work like that plus you all can get together and advertise Craft Alive on the ships. We people complain too much and expect the government to do every thing for us. We should try and help ourselves and we will see how much help we will get people will see that you all are trying.
  • wow (30/11/2016, 10:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    they need to pay their rent
  • lmao (30/11/2016, 10:28) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can Mark help people to see overpriced bathing suits, towels, hats etc to people that dont want them? Kishmet, the other craftman and the juice place are the only sensible businesses there and Im sure while it may not be the best, theyre holding their own. How many of these people actually understand business? I wonder if they realize the ships dont sail from Miami straight here and back. Further I have yet to see any store in crafts alive marketing their store, all they do is call on govt. If people are not buying then its time to decide whether you change your offering or shut up shop, thats life and thats business, nothing to do with govt. For starters why dont they sell stuff locals or overnight tourists would want instead of relying on cruise ships only.
  • Dolly (30/11/2016, 10:32) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why not vacate the premises and let some locals have a chance at bringing it to life????
  • rockcity (30/11/2016, 10:37) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of them sell the same thing when cruisesship ain't there all of them close out like locals don't shop either.
  • The Heading says it all (30/11/2016, 11:17) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    CRAFT ALIVE IS DEAD!!!! NO CRAFT..... THEY JUST NEED TO RENAME THAT PLACE. THAT NAME IS DECEIVING THE TOURIST.
  • Well Sah (30/11/2016, 11:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of the islands that the ships visit are selling the same things. So more than likely, the first island that the ships visit gets the sales. Why would anyone want to be buying the same old junk on each island just with a different name on the item. SMH
  • facts man (30/11/2016, 11:49) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    Government spent money to develop craft alive and also the cruise pier.In all fairness to the craft alive vendors ,they were able to sell stuff to the tourist via tent city for years ...I agree tent city was not well organised but the vendors should have been relocated to a temporary location until the cruise pier was finish...Craft Alive buildings was another wasted spending by Government ,they could have fit a nice Mall Building in on the Cruise Pier which would have compliment the other buildings and the issues would have been solved..I will say it's obvious in the BVI certain people only good for a "VOTE" but not good enough to be treated with respect ..The Craft Alive people was treated unfairly and is time the Government realize this ,they created the problem and needs to help the Voting citizens get back to making a decent living..
  • Change of Name (30/11/2016, 12:04) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    The name CRAFT Alive is misleading, and once you feel mislead, you will turn around immediately and leave.

    Also, if you look at picture 3, it says it all to me, looks like a JUNK Hut, it shows poor lighting on the interior, the paint needs touching up and the little hut is over stocked, looks like a storage room. You are overwhelmed even before entering the hut.

    I do believe the Vendors need to re-think their strategies, they need to find ways in getting SEVERAL people into the location because each person may only be interested in purchasing 1 t-shirt or 1 of any item because once they leave the Cruise Ship they have to in most instances take a flight, the airlines overweight rate and cost of luggage generally these days is quite costly. I would like to see the people putting thoughts into how can we maximize the number of visitors to the location. I would recommend everyone cuts back on their inventory.
  • wize up (30/11/2016, 12:07) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    the shops at craft alive are to small some of them cant hold two persons....some of us wants government to fix our personal problems one of the process to business development is advertising(none of them advertise)...I personally sees a substantial number of visitors in that area maybe what the venders at craft alive are selling is not what the people want to buy:
  • cruise (30/11/2016, 12:28) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The vendors have to come up with something unique that will catch the eye and make you want to buy. We already have bathing suits when we plan our Cruise. We want the unique Tortola art work that you are not going to see anywhere else.
    • Really? (01/12/2016, 00:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you willing to pay for it? Most cruise ship passengers want to pay bartered down made in China prices
  • street reporter. (30/11/2016, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    So many things Are wrong... Honestly the Government operating with a progressive plan.
  • shark (30/11/2016, 13:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    God be with you till we meet again.
  • 1Q (30/11/2016, 15:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The name craft alive should be exactly that, but most of the shops have the same thing. Shirts and dresses other destinations have the same thing just a different slogan or name. I would think craft alive would display local creators and items, things that would be unique to the territory. I don't know about anybody but if I am cruising the caribbean and I see the same things over and over, why buy?
  • Political Observer (PO) (30/11/2016, 17:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    In a brick and mortar business, businesses have to get customers into store/building to improve the opportunity for sales, improving profit, and sustaining the businesses. Getting people into a store is not the only factor for success but it is an important factor. No sale can be made if customers are not in stores. Craft Alive Village set up does not force customers/visitors to pass through the shopping area. If it is not already a requirement, perhaps, passing through Craft Alive Village could be a stop on the tour. Nonetheless, it is no surprise that Pier Park is providing challenges for Craft Alive.

    Further, Craft Alive Village and Tortola Pier Park are selling different experiences. One is at a higher end and the other at the low end. Craft Alive Village needs to offer higher quality, unique variety products. Most merchants are selling the poor quality cheap imports i.e., T-shirts.....etc that are available on every other cruise ship stop. Visitors are looking for unique cultural experiences, ie, attractions, food, music, clothing, souvenirs, art, rum.........etc.
  • Linda (30/11/2016, 18:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    look linda what ?you vendors running race with each other PAY THE RENT and then you will get sales. mark cannot put sales in your mouth. what more you all want from him, blood out of stone.? meeting cannot help you
  • HLSCC (30/11/2016, 19:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Exactly what is Craft Alive suppose to be about?? Local crafts?? Local Art? When you go there what experience do you actually get? The place needs a cohesive vision, brand, identity that you can sell. Do we need to change the name? This is the perfect business project for HLSCC students!

  • Renaming Ceremony (01/12/2016, 05:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crafts A dead...
  • Trade dept (01/12/2016, 06:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rename it BVI heritage square that can encompass many ideas. Small business dept. Does this still exsit?

    Kariah need to get off her fat a$$ and see how she can develop this to be a good business site. Oh snap she is an english major that knows nothing about business!!!! Lorna pet.
  • tpp tenant (01/12/2016, 08:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    don't blame the the park we balling too. I made under 100.00 the day when the 3 ships was in .
  • ausar (01/12/2016, 08:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the country is dead also!
  • Retail manager (01/12/2016, 09:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everything is too high compared to other islands.
    Period.
    However I do agree something should be done as cruise ship passengers debark to show them what is available and HOW TO GET THERE. A few signs pointing the way down the road would be nice right by the ship. You are wrong about what a lot of people want. They do want cheap Tshirts and bags and dresses and Christmas ornaments. They WANT something marked Tortola.


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