‘Be intentional about the [cruise] ships we bring in’- Kevin S. Fahie
Be intentional
In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online at the Progressism Summit, which took place in Dominica on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Mr Fahie noted that while there has been an increase in cruise ships anchoring in the Virgin Islands, it's uncertain whether the appropriate stakeholders are benefiting.
“It’s amazing anytime you can get ships coming in, that’s great, but we have to be intentional. It’s one thing to have ships arrive because, on one hand, the government benefits, but we want to ensure we’re intentionally bringing in the right ships,” he stated.
'Vendors @ Tortola Pier Park need to benefit too'
Fahie emphasised that vendors in the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park also heavily rely on the cruise sector and should benefit from these visitors, not just taxi operators.
“Yes, the taxi drivers are going to get their sales, but we also want to support those who work at the ports in Tortola Pier Park. We need to attract valuable customers so they can generate income from cruise ship passengers,” he explained.
He called on authorities to be deliberate about the cruise ships that come to the Virgin Islands, remarking, “We have to be intentional about the ships we’re bringing in and not just focus on numbers. Yes, it helps the government, but we must also consider the tenants and ensure the right people are coming in on these ships.”
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Smaller vessels do not deliver the volume necessary to sustain broad participation across the onshore economy. They generate limited excursion allotments, minimal retail dwell time, and insufficient turnover for transport operators, vendors, attraction sites, and Pier Park tenants to operate consistently or invest in growth. Their economic impact is, by design, selective