Cruise industry critical for repaying BVIPA's $50M loan- Hon Fahie
Premier Fahie was referring to the British Virgin Islands Port Authority (BVIPA)’s debt for the construction of the C. B. Romney Tortola Pier Park project and the general economy of the territory.
“If we miss this industry this year and next year, somebody has to finance the Port’s loan that they had long before I reach, about $50 million I think it is now. Somebody has to find that money and not just for the loan; we are not talking about the rest money that is needed to keep people employed. So this is not something for persons to get emotional about,” he told taxi and tour operators on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, during an emergency meeting at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay.
The meeting was to determine the way forward with the cruise industry and to gauge how stakeholders felt about the territory allowing cruise passengers who have been fully inoculated to enter without being tested for the deadly virus.
The cruise industry has made their position clear that they won't be making calls to the Virgin Islands if that protocol is not relaxed and choose other destinations with fewer protocols.
Following the meeting, the government has to make a decision that must be relayed to the cruise industry by today, Thursday, September 2, 2021.
We need money
“We can’t keep shutting down every time something happens we are going to be stone-cold broke because all the revenue generators are down and while, I don’t want to say it to saying that I am insensitive to COVID-19, but we have to decide how we are going to balance this,” Premier stated.
He said the risk of contracting COVID-19 from carriers on cruise ships are smaller given the timeframe that the cruise passengers are going to be on the ground.
Tourism has been severely impacted for the past year and a half because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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32 Responses to “Cruise industry critical for repaying BVIPA's $50M loan- Hon Fahie”
COVID-19 AINT GOING NO PLACE I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT WORK SINCE THE COUNTRY LOCK DOWN
TIME TO OPEN
Stop putting your faith in a FICKLE INDUSTRY who don't know their tomorrow or next month. You should've been focusing on AGRICULTURE instead of money dishing out to persons what didn't even plant a tomato, but collected big check.
It seems like you don't understand people have rights. Mark this and that why you don't mark your fingers and mouth. Leave people alone you all trying to stir up a ants nest. Leave people alone with their choice this covid enemy is captivating and separating many families and friends. You do your part and others will do what they feel is right in their own sight. We need to stop. The ships will come weather you like it or not it's a done deal just formality been played out. You better get with the program you behind time.
It is of a truth that the current Administration should not be viewed as the only one that deserves the blame for the financial meagerness of our economy, all previous governments are GUILTY, in my opinion., Honestly.
The heat can kill you and covid can kill you so pick your choice. Precautions may save you but at what expense. Things to ponder.
If we think covid going anywhere now we are making a big mistake.
It will be interesting to know what the ships require from other countries before they can make decisions to set sail. While we need them we don't need any negative energy from them either.
One thing to note don't care what they come up with the BVI will stand. We will not go under no matter how bleakly it looks.
Cruise is not the only way to travel. Out tourism product needs more marketing and needs to be attractive. When one door close many more will open. Limitations yes new ways let's invest in our own ships. BVI have wealth target our own then head out to rest of the Caribbean and keep moving forward it's an expensive venture but it can happen. Let's Think big stepping outside the box.
Also how many breakthrough cases are leading to hospitalisation?
At least past education minister had the balls to tell is our opinions don't matter when he thinks he's right.
Also let's remember that the cruise industry has been selfish through this pandemic. When things were closing down, for the sake of money, many cruiseliners tried to set sail and ended up getting hundreds of people stranded at sea when countries were closing down. When they finally found a port to accept them many ships were riddled with COVID. People died for the sake of a dollar when they denied reality.
I'm for the ships coming back because I think we shouldn't have locked down in the first place. Our economy has been suffering and the biggest predictor of crime is inequality. We need to get people working again. A world of haves and havenots with no way to become a have is one no one can safely enjoy.
On the other hand...I think asking for a rapid test is a fair ask. I don't think we should trust a crippled industry trying to keep and attract investors to look out for us. We're a small place and they see us as interchangeable. Half of the reason this is even a problem is because of the rhetoric going on in these tourists home country. They aren't opposed due to scientific data but rather effective propaganda and the insistence that the rest of the world should confirm woth their view of things.
But, in fairness, if the cruise ship visitors are allowed in, then those with whom they interact, such as the taxi drivers, must be vaccinated, as a back-stop for all of US. It is ridiculous that we allow them to hold the country hostage with their unwillingness to vaccinate. Same with the health industry and Government workers. And, if we do all these things, then we can treat other visitors the same way. We will have a healthy, prosperous result. Anything else is doomed to fail.
Cruise ship don't want to be retested but everyone else must be tested on this end.
All that we have worked so hard to control is now at steak because of the green back paper high demands OTHERWISE they not coming.
So here we go open up the territory fully stop wasting time and useless energy trying to control people movement.
People just need to follow the protocols and we will be fine. We have to live with this thing. Don't fool your self
Open up and buck the agenda. The global powers don’t want cruise ships and travel for pleasure to exist. In the name of climate change they want to restrict movement for everyone but themselves as they fly on their private jets to the lands they are buying up all over the world while restricting development in all countries. They want land and resources.
Do your research. Dig deep. Wake the F up before it’s too late.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Vaccinated vs NON Vaccinated
WE ALL ARE GOING TO DIE FIGHTING AGANIST EACH OTHER
THIS SATAN vs GOD THATS WHY WE ARE ALL CONFUSED LIKE THE TOWER OF BABEL