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Tourist arrivals up 75.9% in VI compared to 2018

- VI registered 64,000 more passengers for Jan-Jun 2019 than same period last year, according to Premier Fahie
Cruise operators are interested in increasing calls to the Virgin Islands, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has disclosed. Photo: VINO
In the first half of 2019, the Virgin Islands recorded a 75.9 percent increase in cruise tourist arrivals compared to 2018. Photo: VINO
In the first half of 2019, the Virgin Islands recorded a 75.9 percent increase in cruise tourist arrivals compared to 2018. Photo: VINO
The first 6 months of 2019 saw an increase in the arrival of tourists compared to the same period in 2018 according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in his recent 2020 Budget speech. Photo: VINO/File
The first 6 months of 2019 saw an increase in the arrival of tourists compared to the same period in 2018 according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in his recent 2020 Budget speech. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The first six (6) months of 2019 saw an increase in the arrival of tourists to the Virgin Islands (VI) compared to the same period in 2018, according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in his recent 2020 Budget Address.

Addressing the House of Assembly on November 19, 2019, the Premier said the increase in arrivals comes in addition to the increase in calls by Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival Cruise Lines.

More tourists arriving 

According to Hon Fahie, "[Increase arrivals] was the product of your Government, and myself as Premier, directly engaging them at the 2019 Seatrade Cruise Global event in Miami in April, and which increased arrivals for the current tourist season initially by 64,000 passengers."

He said the first half of 2019 saw a 75.9 percent increase in cruise tourist arrivals compared to 2018 and that Cruise operators are interested in increasing calls to the VI.

Cruise ships may be stay until midnight!

Further, he said that there is also expressed interest in cruise ships staying at the port later into the night, such as until midnight.

"Mr Speaker, take a walk with me through Road Town at 9:00pm or 10:00pm and imagine the possibilities. Imagine a vibrant Capital, tourist visitors strolling, visiting the Craft Alive shops and other stores, bars and restaurants alive with activity, street food vendors and live musicians making profits," Premier Fahie said.

No Fantasy - Premier Fahie 

He said such developments in the cruise industry will open doors of opportunities for providers of goods and services who support the industry background. "This is not a fantasy; it can be our reality... To capitalise on this, it is necessary to increase the berthing opportunities," Premier Fahie said.

He said options are being explored at the moment "due to the tremendous earning potential that this holds for our people" and that extended time in port can boost annual cruise arrivals to beyond one million passengers.

22 Responses to “Tourist arrivals up 75.9% in VI compared to 2018”

  • My girl (21/11/2019, 17:10) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Clap Clap, VIP working for us. Fahie ain't coming out from there for just now.
    • @ Jack Fahie already out.. (22/11/2019, 06:30) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      How can he put these new belongers and residents application in front of people who's been here for 30 - 40 yrs. With their apications in for years and can't get an answer With children and grand children that born here all of them can vote. These politicians seem to forget that. They are doing the samething that NDP did promise and deceive long time residents. They will meet the same fate...
    • Local yute (22/11/2019, 09:56) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      Like u forget we was still battered from 2017 hurricanes so how could visitors come here how many places was in position to open the first 6 months on 2018? So don't try to forget that all now some places still can't even reopen so don't give no credit to the VIP
  • please (21/11/2019, 18:15) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    There were not much ships until late 2018 when the country was in a ready state after the lash Irma & Maria put on us. Please stop fooling the people with numbers and tell the truth why the numbers increase!
  • VIslander (21/11/2019, 18:16) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Clearly the lack of disaster recovery contributed to that, the Gov is at work for us.
    • Lord o (22/11/2019, 06:24) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Usually Cruise ship increase takes years of negotiations so this increase can be attributed to NDP efforts. Now 2021- 22 we will see the results of VIP efforts...
      • VIslander (22/11/2019, 15:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Where do you see me saying anything different? LOL. Gov is both parties not just VIP or NDP

        A DR plan would've helped us recover faster an get things going faster is what I'm saying you partisan twit. Regardless of party we need this. but yeah the VIP working doh LOL
  • think about it (21/11/2019, 18:58) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    People use sense. He traveled in April and saying the increase was a result of the trip but he's comparing January to June. Now show me these figures compared to the same period 2017 because 2018 we were in the heart of post hurricane recovery.
  • mischief (22/11/2019, 00:11) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who the fixtures are accurate, but should probably copare to 2017. Was coming to a hurricane ravaged country in 2018?
  • carnival (22/11/2019, 00:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please try to get back the 20+ cruise calls that Carnival just cancelled!
    • @Carnival. ..Tears. (22/11/2019, 13:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      R U serious. OMG. Carnival really cancelled. That's the best ship... Most of these ship are useless... Fahie need to focus on getting carnival back. If its true that that cancelled.
  • Dummies (22/11/2019, 05:43) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cruise ship arrivals are no good indicators of healthy Tourism. They spend 10 times less than hotel and yachting people and they are destroyers of our infrastructures and environment. Compare the figures to 2016 or 2017 not 2018 though.
  • hotel (22/11/2019, 06:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe its only the Taxi Men and government making money.... Much better last year this time for business. How can we get these people to spend you should be the focus. Not the head count but the money count is what we need.
    • eyes (22/11/2019, 09:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      SO THAT MEANS THE TAXI MEN BY THE SHIP HAS THEIR FOOD TO EAT THERE, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE COME BY THE FERRY AND TAKE ANOTHER MAN FOOD.WICKEDNESS MUST STOP,EVERYBODY HAS TO EAT
  • P (22/11/2019, 06:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Love and fairness to all people is key. Politicians promise this. Once they get into power. Its all favors for friends who don't have political friends to speak for them get victimized and left behind... VIP. NDP the same P.
    • Casino. (22/11/2019, 12:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Casino. Casino. Casino. That's the way to go. Try it. Before you judge it and fail it.
  • Late night? (22/11/2019, 07:09) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Road Town needs a lot of work before tourists will enjoy walking through its streets at night.
  • @LATE NIGHT? (22/11/2019, 08:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    For the tourist to start getting clobbering over their heads by the local criminials. Even if the ships stay until midnight, the tourist will prefer to stay onboard the ship because there is much more to do on the ship.
  • ABC (22/11/2019, 09:46) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Under vip the economy is always good
  • Truth be told. Good (22/11/2019, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get atlease one Casino house on the cruise peir.. Cruise passengers like that kind of entertainment with nice sexy black ladies serving them our local rum and coconut water... Who won't love that. ... Just takes courage and heart... This will definitely boost the industry and the cruise pier visits by both locals and tourist...
    • LCS (23/11/2019, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ships have Casinos on board. Why would tourists prefer to go to a Casino at TPP?


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