Gov’t needs to find ways to revive cruise tourism industry - Skelton-Cline
He said that in addition to the BVIPA head charge of $15 per person who arrive via ships, reviving the industry will mean significant revenues for the territory.
Mr Skelton-Cline made the comments while addressing the topic on the Tuesday, September 7, 2021, edition of the Honestly Speakig radio Show.
Taxi providers & vendors without income - Skelton-Cline
“For the last two seasons, cruise ships have not been here… and when cruise ships ain’t here, the taxi service providers can’t run their safaris, can’t run their buses because they are heavily reliant on cruise tourism,” he said.
Skelton-Cline brought into question the ability of operators to be able to meet expenses without foot traffic that come as a result of the cruise tourism industry.
He said the predicament is the same for the vendors across the territory who are unable to sell.
“The vendors everywhere are relying on the cruise tourism guests. And the cruise tourism guests are no longer a t-shirt and water guest,” rather he said they are customers who spend thousands of dollars per family not only on the ship, but onshore.
He said the money from the cruise tourism industry trickles down into various areas of the economy and brings concrete benefits to the people.
“These people have been flat on their backs for two seasons, so this government has to find ways in which to stimulate the economy, one of those ways is to bring back the cruise tourism in a safe manner that also provides the livelihood that we need."
Re-opening is about risk management - Skelton-Cline
The man of the cloth reminded that with the re-opening of the industry cases of the virus will come, especially with the prevalence of the Delta variant of the virus.
‘Right now, we ain't got nothing going. COVID-19 and its variant are about risk management. It ain't going anywhere soon,” he said.
He said in the VI, either the territory will die of hunger or the Government manages the risk, have a contingency plan, and takes steps to re-open the economy.
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13 Responses to “Gov’t needs to find ways to revive cruise tourism industry - Skelton-Cline”
With our Country locked in confusion at this time, and the world nations fighting the covid-19 virus, do you or anyone else think that a large amount of tourists desire to visit us in large numbers? However, if 50% of the number of cruise ship tourists visit us as they did before the covid-19 virus outbreak, that will indeed help our people going forward.
But let me be straight forward to you, Sir. You are more of a talkshowman than a talk-first-and-give-us-some- solid-ideas man, on the tourist issue. We deserved more than continuing talks from you. We need workable action plans, quickly.
The VI must become not only an attractive destination but also an attractions haven with an abundance of riches. As such, it must more fully develop and promote its local history, heritage, culture, festivals, traditions, customs, arts, food, music, theatre…..etc. Tourists wants to experience life and things local and unique to the destination(s). There must be a distinction between the VI, and SKN, Antigua, St. Lucia, CI, Anguilla, St. Martin/Maarten….etc. The VI brand must be strong, marketable and memorable. Additionally, it must invest in more quality tourists facilities.
Moreover, agree fully with CSC that tourism must be more fully develop to contribute more to GDP, produce more employment, earnings, better standard of living and quality of life ….etc. Further, the VI economic base is fragile and weak. It needs to deepen, strengthen and diversified. Coronavirus (Covid-19)has exposed its fragility and weakness. It provided an X-ray-crystallograph (technique used to evaluate the structure of viruses) examination of the VI social and economic weaknesses. Now, not post Covid, Premier AA Fahie needs to commissioned a commission on economic growth, development and sustainability.
Another idea, will be to educate our youths on the industry from High School. Back in my day the tourist board conducted summer internship. We would get the chance to work in different areas and learn some fun facts. May be if we reintroduce that we may have more young people interested in the industry. Just my thoughts