With Road Town and historical sites beautified, Mr. Smith said "they" will soon sell themselves via the internet, television or word of mouth as the VI's tourism product prepares to welcome new customers. Photo: VINO/ File

Cromwell Smith, host of Umoja. Photo: VINO/ File

On Umoja aired last Thursday July 5, 2012, Mr. Smith said with the plans for the development of the Cruise ship pier and the beautification of the Territory’s capital Road Town and Historical sites, it will make the VI a very attractive tourism product in the eyes of the world.

With this, he added that such a refurbished product can in turn encourage persons to visit the islands and will result in a boost for the economy and creating some sense of financial stability.

Comparing the VI to a ‘store’, Mr. Smith stated that the store needs new customers, the paints needs changing and the store will soon be open for business.

“We been talking about getting more customers to the island for years and years and now it is finally coming to reality. We have to dress it up, shine it up, check the inventory and polish the china. Everything and anything we have to do to make sure the store is successful.”

Regarding a presentation made by the Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark Vanterpool, in relation to the existing plans for the expansion of the cruise ship pier, the talk show host said that a “new product is coming to the store.”

He said, “this is truly a part of the ‘dress up’ and attractiveness of the store.”

Mr. Smith also known as Edju Enka added that along with the pier expansion, it is envisioned that the town will also be developed along with the historical sites.

“The town will soon sell itself via the internet, television or word of mouth…. A destination within a destination, you have reached where you’re going.”

In an analytical forecast regarding the way motorists of the VI use the road, Mr. Smith pondered how would it be at a time where the Tourism industry is ‘booming’ with several cruise ships and taxis back and forth on the road, trying to get the visitors to the different historical sites in the careless VI traffic.

“The question is, how will the traffic coming from the cruise ship flow in a circulating and smooth manner.”

Nevertheless, the host said “the store” must be revamped and reopened to the world.