Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said the commitment by cruise lines to increase calls to the Virgin Islands will mean an additional 64,000 and 22,000 cruise passengers, respectively, visiting the territory. Photo: Provided/File

Referencing an increased push to address shortfalls in the local tourism industry, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that at least two major international cruise partners have committed to increasing calls to the territory for the 2019/2020 cruise tourism season. Photo: VINO

The announcement was made at today’s July 31, 2019, Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA), where the Premier noted that the developments came as a result of tireless efforts by his Government to address the projected shortfall in tourist passengers, which the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had failed to tell the people or take steps to mitigate the shortfall.

Solid Commitments

“After 4 months of intense lobbying and dialogue with our international cruise partners, your new government was able to obtain solid commitments from at least two cruise lines for increased calls to the territory for the upcoming 2019/2020 cruise season,” Hon Fahie announced to the HoA.

Hon Fahie continued, "I want to tell you that our government and domestic stakeholders such as the Tortola Pier Park and the BVI Ports Authority are burning the midnight oil to rescue our cruise industry and to generate the opportunities that our service providers such as the taxi operators and the restaurants look forward to and depend upon to support their families while significantly stimulating the economy."

He indicated that in the last weeks meetings were scheduled in Miami, with Norweigan Cruise Line and the other with Royal Caribbean. 

“These meetings were of paramount importance as we held critical discussions with Norweigan Cruise Lines relative to their pending shortfall and the way forward to address this matter,” he said.

According to the Premier, the commitment will mean an additional 64,000 and 22,000 cruise passengers visiting the territory.

Strengthened relations 

Further, Hon Fahie noted, “Due to the hard work that we have done over the past few months, Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited (RCL), "has added an additional seven calls to their BVI itinerary.”

He said Royal Caribbean has therefore increased its bookings from 32 to 39 calls for the upcoming tourism season.  

“This will bring unexpected additional arrivals to 14,000, as such, your government remains focused on building and maintaining strong relationships with our valued cruise partners so that citizens can benefit from increased economic activities."

In early July 2019, information coming out of the Cyril B. Romney, Tortola Pier Park (TPP) indicated that since taking office, the Hon Fahie Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration was making vibrant and concerted moves to revitalise the cruise sector, restore and enhance the cruise product, and strengthen the territory’s relationships with its cruise partners.