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'Full year of Cruise ships from April 2015' – Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool

“We are expecting for the first time in the history of the Virgin Islands that 12 months of the year beginning April next year there will be cruise ships in the Territory all year round,” said Hon Mark H. Vanterpool. Photo: VINO
Taxi operators yesterday heard that there was one good thing that all the cruise liners have indicated to the Government team that attended a caucus in St Martin recently was that Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney, the European Groups among others, which was that their customers have indicated through surveys was that they want to come to the Virgin Islands perhaps more than many other places in the Caribbean. Photo: VINO
Taxi operators yesterday heard that there was one good thing that all the cruise liners have indicated to the Government team that attended a caucus in St Martin recently was that Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney, the European Groups among others, which was that their customers have indicated through surveys was that they want to come to the Virgin Islands perhaps more than many other places in the Caribbean. Photo: VINO
Key personnel in the industry were present at the meeting and ceremony which were held in the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall where Hon. Vanterpool gave the taxi drivers the assurance that thriving cruise tourism seasons are promised for the future. Photo: VINO
Key personnel in the industry were present at the meeting and ceremony which were held in the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall where Hon. Vanterpool gave the taxi drivers the assurance that thriving cruise tourism seasons are promised for the future. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Taxi operators yesterday heard that there was one good thing that all the cruise liners have indicated to the Government team that attended a caucus in St Martin recently was that Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney, the European Groups among others, which was that their customers have indicated through surveys was that they want to come to the Virgin Islands perhaps more than many other places in the Caribbean.

“One CEO said to us while we were in St Martin, though we had a little difficulty with you over the last number of years we have to put that difficulty aside because our customers say we want to come to the BVI,” Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool to told a number of taxi and livery operators yesterday morning at a general meeting for taxis and the official launch of Virgin Islands Transportations and Alliance Inc. (VITA).

“That’s mostly because the taxi men in the BVI have been good ambassadors for us here in the Territory. Although we have our challenges we don’t have the right roads, we don’t have the right inland destinations fully organized, efforts we have been making to make our tourists pleased to be here have been rewarding to us and we want to thank you,” he said.

The meeting and ceremony were held in the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall where Hon. Vanterpool gave the taxi drivers the assurance that thriving cruise tourism seasons are promised for the future.

“….we met with CEOs and companies earlier this month and got assurances from them of the interest in continuing to come to the BVI and although we have been having some difficulties, we’ve had some issues we are assured that in the times to come, not too distant times to come all of these companies would be looking to the BVI,” Hon Vanterpool told the operators.

Hon Vanterpool told them of physical surveys that have been done and can be verified which show that of every ten persons over eight have indicated wanting to have the VI as one of their tourist destinations.

He appealed with the operators to give their full support to the taxi and livery officers who are currently working desperately to have things in the industry improved according to Hon Vanterpool despite all is not well especially with the road networks.

“We are no longer be going to quickly throwing down asphalt on the roads to fix it and the next six months or when the rain comes it is destroyed. We are working bit by bit on areas that we want to make sure can be fixed properly and drained properly for the long term,” he said.

He said that though they are some difficulties in terms of meeting certain deadline with the works being done at the cruise ship pier, things are underway and making good progress. “We are expecting for the first time in the history of the Virgin Islands that 12 months of the year beginning April next year there will be cruise ships in the Territory all year round,” he said.

19 Responses to “'Full year of Cruise ships from April 2015' – Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool”

  • Pier Project Supporter (30/10/2014, 09:07) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
    I as a B.V.Islander am pleased with the future projected outcome of this project, as it has been a personal dream that we would have cruise ships in around our emancipation period, and I must commend the Hon. Minister for having the vision to allow something as essential to our tourism industry to occur.Despite what non-supporters might think this development will be beneficial to our country, It only takes a little time and patience.
    • ------------------ (30/10/2014, 12:19) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
      mark is NOT a leader, he's just not doing anything about the mess.

  • rattie (30/10/2014, 09:12) Like (18) Dislike (20) Reply
    More lies and NDP propaganda
  • ndp hater (30/10/2014, 10:04) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    Something got to be in it fo he...I dont care wha a man say.
  • Village Girl (30/10/2014, 12:15) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    Let's be honest here the NDP has killed the cruise ship sector
  • farmer brown (30/10/2014, 12:21) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    And..the present government will be voted out of office and..the previous VIP one will win ...All the while..the Civil Service..with the largest voting block on the island. Remains the same.

  • yes we can (30/10/2014, 12:28) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
    Aahhh.... just going out on a limb here Mr. Vanterpool..We will rather a statement form the cruise line sector as we do not trust you or the NDP
  • Grand Ma (30/10/2014, 12:35) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Just wait untill the VIP get in next year only they can do it, Fraser and his team will sort it out!

  • my $0.02 cents (30/10/2014, 12:40) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    I truly believe the only men capable of running this country and should be our leader is either Julian Fraser or Ronnie Skelton. The rest either lack an education or common sense or in some cases BOTH!!!!
  • pete (30/10/2014, 13:20) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tourists talk and come to BVI for what is here. Nature, baths, beaches, history. Not all come to shop. We will NEVER be able to compete with St Thomas or St Marteen. So play up our unique assets, our environment, sailing, peaceful atmosphere without more crowds. But alas, the bigger ships will bring just that. focus on infrastructure, trash, first (cultural) impressions, i.e. history and local tours of main street with student guides and written brochures. Fix the prison PROFESSIONALLY as a museum. Do you think tourists really want to see another jewelry store? Is that why they want to come?
  • @ my two cents (30/10/2014, 13:49) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    What about deloris and alvera can they run it?
  • Scary Mary (30/10/2014, 14:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it still going to be a full year of cruise ships since Disney has pulled out until 2016? Good luck to the vendors who open shops at the cruise pier. It's going to be a slow start without the Disney ships and I'm guessing the overheads will be rather high.
  • dread (30/10/2014, 18:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well well i see they form a new ndp taxi assoation
  • lil man (30/10/2014, 18:28) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let's just get the ships in so the little man can make some money
    • @lil man (31/10/2014, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why come here, ask yourself? Can't just get ships in. There has to be a honey pot and we are offering them a ghut! People in other countries are also more welcoming and don't have their hand out. Floggin a dead horse. Need to get real and invest.
  • in the news (03/11/2014, 23:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Hose of Assembly has become a filthy pit of self-absorbed individuals.

    It is time for the rule of this country to be transferred to the people.
  • voter (03/11/2014, 23:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Away with these dinosaurs. Most of them are voting Lodge anyway. Most of the population are not Lodge. We want a true democracy.


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