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Repeat cruise visitors disappointed to see ‘tent city’ gone!

- Listen to audio @ end of article
The vending area known as 'tent city' on Wickham's Cay I was dismantled in 2012 and vendors relocated to Crafts Alive Village. Photo: VINO/File
This photo taken on November 29, 2016 shows Crafts Alive looking like a ghost town despite three cruise ships in port on that day. Photo: VINO/File
This photo taken on November 29, 2016 shows Crafts Alive looking like a ghost town despite three cruise ships in port on that day. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), below, helps himself to some of the anniversary cake on Tuesday February 14, 2017 when the Tortola Pier Park Limited (TPPL) land side development celebrated one year. Photo: GIS
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), below, helps himself to some of the anniversary cake on Tuesday February 14, 2017 when the Tortola Pier Park Limited (TPPL) land side development celebrated one year. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Tortola Pier Park Limited (TPPL) land side development celebrated one year on Tuesday February 14, 2017 and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) said the investment was “worth it” and that Government wants to make sure “guests enjoy” it.

“We are very excited about it. The investment was worth it. We want to make sure the guests enjoy, our people benefit from it and tourism on a whole will grow in the BVI. Not only from cruise ship side but overnight visitors can come and enjoy,” Hon Vanterpool was quoted by a Government Information Service (GIS) press release as saying.

The milestone was celebrated with locals, business owners at the park and three ships carrying over six thousand passengers, the press release continued.

Disappointed tourists

However, not every visitor it seems are too thrilled about the landside development as, according to two repeat cruise visitors, it is nothing unique when compared to the other ports in the Caribbean.

In fact, the couple came off one of the cruise ships on Wednesday February 15, 2017 with the intention of visiting the vending area that was known as ‘tent city’.

“My wife and I were in Tortola about three or four years ago on the Norwegian Dawn and we were looking forward to coming back here because we really loved the little local bazar with the local business that sold from tables and in little tents, but it is all gone now and replaced with a bunch of shops that you can find in any other port in the Caribbean, very disappointing,” said one of the tourists.

The man’s wife shared similar sentiments.

“I am very sad. I only got off the ship to go into the little bazar. It is very upsetting and it is terrible what was done to the local people, it really is,” the female tourist stated.

Crafts Alive vendors sucking salt

It was in 2012 that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government relocated vendors of ‘tent city’ on Wickham’s Cay I to the Crafts Alive Village to make way for buildings to house various businesses. The shopping centre on Tortola Pier Park consists of over 60 stores, including retail, service providers, commercial spaces and office spaces. 

The relocated vendors have since been complaining that they are struggling to do business since tourists hardly come their way, due to their new location and tourists being unware of the Crafts Alive Village.

“Not one, not two but three large ships in here today and look in here, you can count on one hand the amount of tourists that come through here. What are we doing? All the attention is being put on the Pier Park and the booklets on the ships are for Main Street. What about Crafts Alive? How are we to survive?” Crafts Alive vendor Ms Irma Smith had asked on November 29, 2016.

It was expressed by others that it is time that the management spend more effort at promoting Crafts Alive with the energy and enthusiasm they do for the Tortola Pier Park. “Make it part of the package that the taxi buses come to this area and spend at least one hour of each run. In that way, even if the passengers never heard of Crafts Alive when the taxi buses bring them they will shop or just browse out of curiosity. Somebody needs to use some initiative here man. Main Street and the Pier Park killed Crafts Alive,” said another.

Most stall holders had said they were running at a loss as they were not getting sales but are made to honour their obligations of paying a rent to Government.

Meanwhile, Honourable Vanterpool stated on February 14, 2017 that Wickham’s Cay I will see more development this year as the Ministry of Communications and Works plans to extend the boardwalk from the pier park to the Queen Elizabeth II Park.

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42 Responses to “Repeat cruise visitors disappointed to see ‘tent city’ gone!”

  • when (18/02/2017, 07:42) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply
    We keep doing things (for the tourist) yet the tourist always comment they don't like it. If they want to experience St.martten they will go SMX. If they want to experience St.thomas fast life they will visit.. it's a reason they visit the bvi and soon very soon they value of interest will be soon gone but I hope not before the NDP.
    • No (18/02/2017, 09:22) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
      What the tourists are saying they miss the vendors under the tents which was selling more local stuff but in the Pier Parks sell the same stuff that are seen around the world.. simple they want local stuff........
      • "Local Stuff" (18/02/2017, 10:45) Like (6) Dislike (22) Reply
        You jokin bout local stuff - it were more rubish than even o craftsalive - chep rubish o tiwan sold at huge prices
        torist like idea we is thurd world and don like devlapmant
      • when (18/02/2017, 17:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Understood! Clear as day.
      • @No (19/02/2017, 12:22) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Almost all the stuff that was sold in 'Tent City' was made in China. (Soom vendors where so lazy they kept on the Made in China label and added Tortola,BVI). Some of the tourist want to believe that the Caribbean people live in squalor, poor and without class. Many of them thank that the building in the hillside belong to Europeans residents. They are often surprised to find that the houses belong to Africans.
      • jah know (20/02/2017, 12:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Exactly...They dont want to come here and see the same old jewelry and clothing stores they will find in their own home country or saw in sxm, stt, etc. all those previous stops they took before they reach in the bvi. They want to take home local souvenirs
    • mark the spanish man (18/02/2017, 10:06) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      it is disappointing because people love the tents look at st Thomas at how many people support the tents than haven site
  • Jennie (18/02/2017, 07:45) Like (36) Dislike (3) Reply
    I could understand their pain. When some people travel they want to experience the natural hospitality, the rawness of the country. Some people crave for those things. What we have now is nothing special or different. Ok what if we had real skill men showing off their crafts and ways of BVI maybe it could work but honestly it's like you just arrive the US for shopping when you go Pier Park. It looks like it was built more for the local people to have something new to do rather than tourist focus.

    Some of those tourist never travel the Caribbean in they life just to come off the ship to meet something that is unauthentic.
    • Ajic (18/02/2017, 09:09) Like (13) Dislike (22) Reply
      What is unauthentic about wanting our place to look clean and orderly? We must stunt our growth or continue to look poverty stricken to please these tourists? We would also like to live in a modern society. Next you will be telling me to go back to using pit toilets and thatch houses..smh
      • @ajic (18/02/2017, 16:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Well if we building stuff the tourists dont want to see and pay for.then exactly.why are we doing it? Tent city is wa majority of tourists prefer to see. So if we sharing our secrets for income maybe we should give them what they askin.for.
        • @@ajic (19/02/2017, 07:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          That is only one Tourist. Don't mind them. Crafts Akive was there long before the Pier Park and they still complained it was the same cheap stuff they saw in SXM and those vendors made just a little more than they are making now. As to local stuff that was an error in judgment in the development which I think was advised by PwC. The stores at the Cruise Pier doing the best are not the locally inspired stores. They are the US stores that those Tourists are familiar with (Diamonds, Del Sol, Cariloha, Little Switzerland, Effy Jewelers etc. They bring in lots of money. Everybody else seems to be just surviving for now.
    • dog (20/02/2017, 12:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      agreed. one can still have smaller shops in island-based architecture which gives it character. what is there now is anywhere in the world- miami, St Marteen, even new york mall. The chain stores send their money back to headquarters. It doesn't stay on island. It is sterile and generic. Can you imagine a little village with good design and a programme that helps new entrepreneurs start their businesses with small grants and training? This was all about the tourist who travels to experience new cultures, not see what they can get in the states cheaper. Why do VG and BVI get so many awards? because it is unspoiled and aware of the environment. But not for long. big resorts like concrete jungles around are winning. Save what we have and use what we have to promote progress. You can do both.
  • Jack B Nimble (18/02/2017, 08:08) Like (36) Dislike (0) Reply
    The smart thing was to build a Board walk at the edge of the sea straight to craft alive. So Cruise passengers could have walk from the Cruise Pier straight to Craft alive without been disturbed...The Pier Park needs a professional marketing person. Something about it. It's not attractive to me.
    • Jack B Quick (18/02/2017, 08:37) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      Boadwalk, Great Idea.
      Add to that moving the Taxi Park to Opposite Pussers, so the tourists have to walk through the Pier Park and Craft Alive. A small scale Courtesy Cart (like at Airports) can assist disabled people get to the Taxi Park.
    • Jack B Quik (18/02/2017, 10:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wholeheartedly agree.
    • Me. (18/02/2017, 16:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dont tell that to Ms know it. We expended 100M into a facility then tell an inexperience person to Market it. Way to go NDP, it shows how logical each one of you think. Fix it or we will be the laughing stock of the Caribe.
      • @me (19/02/2017, 07:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Totally agree with you. What a waste of time with those useless programs and initiatives. They needs marketing person who has imagination and thinks outside the box for this pier park and they need to find ways to drum up summer business.
    • dog (20/02/2017, 12:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      It is not attractive because it is not interesting. It is square box store mentality. Unless you are a chain, it is not economical.
      Those locals who are surviving are also service oriented. We need tailors, dry cleaners, book stores, drug stores, hardware stores on a smaller more accessible scale. Make it a working centre, not a tourist centre. Tourists resent that too. They don't like being targets and feeling manipulated.
  • street reporter. (18/02/2017, 08:13) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ann lennard is a wasted talent. Wasted money. Give Ann Lennard the job to market the Pier Park. She is one on the better marketing people in the BVI. The Pier Parkneeds a good voice and a face. I recommend Ann Lennard. I think she will do a good job of bringing life and spirit to the area
  • Myo (18/02/2017, 08:25) Like (10) Dislike (20) Reply
    Lies, lies...who the hell wanted to go to any tent city.., struposss
  • 45 million missing (18/02/2017, 08:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    But mark said everybody love the tpp
  • idea (18/02/2017, 09:05) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    So, all the tent people got to do is set up a new city in another location to accommodate the two or three people who want to see raggy tents. A good opportunity for any land owner willing to rent to tenants who do not intend to pay their rent and complain continuously.
    • ideal place (18/02/2017, 10:48) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      why doesn't Donald open his failed rip off sweet shop premises and let the tents in there - he could make it a union only work place! We could have a weekly competition to judge who moans the most out of Donald and his unionised tenants
    • ............ (19/02/2017, 20:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Idea,

      Thank you, you took the words out of my mouth. I don't need to type anything else....
  • facts man (18/02/2017, 09:48) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    good to hear a different perspective than the normal NDP spin..thanks vino
  • @ajc (18/02/2017, 10:09) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    the onliest thing that's filty and need cleaning is the ndp government and Andrew oneal
  • Can't please all (18/02/2017, 15:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is nothing wrong with thinking outside the box. Tent city is what some our repeaters knew and I agree they are some disappointment. we can't please all but development is necessary to keep the territory on the cutting edge. The cuiseship development there may be questions and concerns but we have a better cruise ship port and facilities. Some disappointment of how it is been run but a great place. What is important and necessary to look at is how can we boost business in the craft alive village and the other businesses around. I would encourage businesses to think outside the box and bring something new to your establishment. Try it even if you fail in trying. My opinion
  • ausar (18/02/2017, 16:26) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why has not the government thought about having those at Crafts Alive open small kiosks at the Pier Park like they have done at Yacht Haven Grande on St Thomas??

    Tourists interested in hot sun and crafts could find that welcoming...
  • lmao (18/02/2017, 18:30) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    2 tourists out of 600,000 dont like it and its a national emergency? What about everyone that do like the pier park? Where are those interviews? Building 1 of the pier park is ALL local craft and all those same tent vendors are now at Crafts Alive. If so many ppl missed them why are they complaining about not making money? Those tents sold chinese products found anywhere except it has bvi on it.
  • staind (18/02/2017, 20:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    i couldnt agree more Tortola is far from what it used to be but they call it progress.
  • please (18/02/2017, 22:15) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    That's trump 1% of people that said that!
  • buddafly (19/02/2017, 11:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I work at the pier park and I've heard many repeat tourist love the pier park. the ones who dont like it are the ones who just want souvenirs, and we simply direct them to craft alive.
  • rat race (19/02/2017, 13:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It appears that some are concluding it isn't worth it spending $100 Million on this project
  • Concerned (19/02/2017, 20:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next is the airport no tourist wants!! The only thing it will do is kill Trellis Bay one of the highlights of the BVI. If the Government would make a good deal with a reliable responsible airline, it would cost a lot less, and the tourists as well as the rest of us. Also force the parkers on the road into the car park, cut off the path to Trellis (or better yet tunnel it), then make parking for planes in the field there if that is what is needed. Listen to the private jets taking off now, then double it for 747's and you find Trellis Bay community will go to hell as will Last Resort, Marina Cay and Scrub.
    • dog (20/02/2017, 12:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      thank you! I so agree! Even the private planes for VG can handle the strip. There are passenger planes who can handle the strip. It is not like it will be busy 24/7. Big planes are noise polluters and will affect the entire area including west end as they descend for landing over expensive villa rentals. If you want to get more people here reliably, fig the ferries from St Thomas as many have been screaming for. Also-- the bigger the airport, the more potential for a hotel, then commercial centre and grocery, then condos, then golf course and marina etc. ANd there goes the fisheries protected area and mangroves. Part of the travel adventure is going off the highway to see other areas. part of the adventure is small airports and ferries which relax people as they sight see the islands.
  • Political Observer (PO) (20/02/2017, 14:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Nonsense! The two tourists need to find another destination that they can feel sorry for. Bet they like to see Caribbean and African countries wallowing in squalor. They are probably disappointed that the territory is moving beyond Third World status. Bet they see themselves as superior to the majority of local residents. Let's bid them adieu!


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