Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI & USVI discuss need for consistent ferry service between Territories

- BVI Tourist Board standing committee activated
The issue of the need for a more consistent ferry service between the Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands was discussed during the recent Inter-Virgin Islands Council Meeting and efforts are already being made to address this issue, according to Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The issue of the need for a more consistent ferry service between the Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands was discussed during the recent Inter-Virgin Islands Council Meeting and efforts are already being made to address this issue.

This is according to Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who spoke at the BVI Tourist Board’s annual Tourism Industry Meeting yesterday November 1, 2012 at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, HLSCC Campus in Paraquita Bay.

“Governor [John] de Jongh and I spoke about how our territories can work together to ensure that there is consistent ferry service between the BVI and USVI so that passengers are able to travel to the Territory in a safe and hassle free manner. Our tourism delegation agreed that the standing committee for tourism be activated. I know that Chairman [Russell] Harrigan and his team have already initiated a meeting with the USVI Commissioner of Tourism with a view to agreeing on concrete solutions to these issues.”

Premier Smith further said Government has mapped out a viable structure to ensure and enable full cooperation between the public and private sectors to further strengthen and safeguard the Territory’s tourism industry and critical strategic decisions are continuing to be made to bolster the global brand for the Virgin Islands.

One of the ways for revitalising the sector to attract more visitors, Premier Smith said, is to address the issue of air access in the medium and long term.  To address this issue in the long term, he continued, Government has taken a decision to extend the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport to accommodate direct air access to the Territory.

“We believe that direct flights to the Territory will enhance the long term viability of our tourism sector placing it on a solid foundation for the future.  We aim to give all those who have invested in our tourism a reasonable assurance that we can get travellers to the destination competitively, in a timely and cost effective manner. We recognise that by providing never before possible direct access to our tourism product, we will definitely propel our tourism sector to levels we have not to date been able before to realise. This will result in real benefits for the private and public sectors well into the future,” Premier Smith posited.

The leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government said focus is also being placed short and near term solutions and Government is engaged in an aggressive strategy to increase the number of available airline seats to the Virgin Islands.  These efforts, Premier Smith said, have been spearheaded by the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI Airport Authority with support from the Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and other ministries of Government. 

“We have had extensive consultations with local, regional and international carriers to ensure that residents and visitors have direct access to the Territory for the winter season this year and beyond. We have been meeting with a number of carriers about our programmes and plans for the winter ahead and beyond. We have met with Seaborne, Cape Air, LIAT, Neville Brathwaite Jr., and American Eagle.”

Premier Smith also told the persons in attendance that Government is also working towards improving infrastructure to expand and upgrade the facilities at the cruise pier so that visitors via cruise lines can have better access; even as the Territory continues to work directly with cruise lines and operators in an effort to build relationships and attract year round cruises to the Islands.

It was also stated that this year Government has been paying close attention to its primary markets in the US and Europe, while at the same examining new market opportunity in Canada and South America where the economies of Brazil, Chile and Argentina continue to be very strong.

Current plans, Premier Smith said, call for the establishment of a formal presence in both of these market areas within the first half of 2013.

18 Responses to “VI & USVI discuss need for consistent ferry service between Territories”

  • george w. touch (02/11/2012, 08:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the usual nonsense from doc on this topic...another subject that is talked to death with no action.........
  • . (02/11/2012, 08:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    school children say that dr smith wanted government to assist his cousin with the purchasing of a new ferry
    • Martian (05/11/2012, 06:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And you take school children seriously when they speak on these matters? What does that say about you?
  • jack be still (02/11/2012, 09:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ferry services between the islands will never get better as long as you have that one company linked to the NDP who wants to have control over whatever they want to control.
    • stop it (02/11/2012, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      for true because the relentless campaign against Bobby muss stop
  • Jost van Dyke (02/11/2012, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about better Ferry service to the sister islands?
  • kevin (02/11/2012, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about a Ferry service from the east end and west end ports to Road Town to help reduced traffic? a water taxi? this will probably be a good idea.
    • too small (02/11/2012, 09:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      kevin Yes this has been considered before the ferry across the sea to help with the road traffic issues. The answer is obvious. The market is just too small. Would be a nice idea tho.
      • long road (02/11/2012, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        This ferry taxis would be great way to travel to work for me from that long drive from west end
        • DollarBusCampaign (02/11/2012, 13:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Want to reduce Road Town traffic? Easy, it works great for our neighbors:
          Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses. Dollar buses.Dollar buses. Dollar buses.
  • henry (02/11/2012, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just want reassurance that the ferry service will not be hindered in any way so I could get my KFC and cheap toilet papers...lol
  • Shara Parlin (02/11/2012, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have also seen sick passengers on one ferry who were unable to relieve themselves in time and their vomit was left to dry until the boat arrieved at the next port before they clean it up.
  • Cassidy (02/11/2012, 11:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nationalise them.
  • IslandWide (02/11/2012, 13:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Exactly.
    Take control of this country and fix these problems. Stop letting vested interests control our development because all they do is hold us back at best - but usually take us backwards.
    Old time days have gone. Let's fix this country for the sake of all its people, not just a few big names.
  • BREAKING NEWS (02/11/2012, 14:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A Gov't in ACTION!!
    • mcw (03/11/2012, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      BREAKING NEWS what damm action boss? a NDP government favoring one company over another because of politics and famliy ties? mehson you put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!
  • yes we can (02/11/2012, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is the NDP government still hell-bent on purchasing thoes boats for the ferry owners?
  • pine (02/11/2012, 18:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we certainly don't need Smith Ferry services who often times run out of fuel and have you drifting and life rafters falling off in the ocean. Fist it needs a general overhaul from captain to cook and this is no joke stink of fuel inside this is not good for anyone health at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.