VI must identify trends & demands of millennial cruise tourists– Hon Rymer
He added, “As a result, CLIA estimated that the entire global cruise fleet’s return should result in a 2023 demand that is equal to 2019 levels. On this point, I should add that we need to look at what the trends and demands are for millennials and ensure that we are positioning ourselves to attract this market,” Hon Rymer said in a speech on Friday, May 13, 2022.
Hon Rymer said; however, that he does not believe the current VI tourism product is very attractive to the millennials market segment and that must change.
The Deputy Premier in the speech said trends have also highlighted a strong focus on sustainability coming out of the recent Global Seatrade Conference in Miami.
“Details and goals for the industry's sustainability commitment and progress were presented, and it was stressed that the industry is resolved to be a leader in sustainability with CLIA’s oceangoing member lines committing to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Net-zero translates to "no carbon emissions."
More sustainability
He added that in the meantime the Cruise industry will continue to ramp up sustainability efforts with the use of batteries, fuel cells, and green LNG power.
“One option that was raised in helping to keep port communities greener is that ships plug into the existing electric grid, rather than running their engines in port.”
Hon Rymer said coming out of the conference, many ships are ready to receive shore power, and local communities that ships visit are looking at and making decisions to provide what is needed in that regard.
He added that those are just some of the things the VI must look at as the territory aims to continue the growth of its cruise industry as well as market share.
31 Responses to “VI must identify trends & demands of millennial cruise tourists– Hon Rymer”
Oh what a rain that will be
Standing outside with my mouth opened wide
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops
Oh what a rain that would be
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
The current premier promised to fight for rights of rastafari & religious groups in the committee stage, unfortunately the final bill to my knowledge had no stipulations for affected minorities & religious customs.
these ppl always talking outta their b-h***s without thinking. one of these ships use more power than the whole of the bvi. how we going provide that when we cant even provide for the bvi. and if they killing we with the surcharge what them going to do to the ships. what a set of moo-moos.
And, a ship plugging into BVI EC? More like BVI EC requiring them to run ship’s electrical generation so they can put it into the grid
We don't need to do anything with regard to the polluting and fruitless cruise tourism market. They leave behind their rubbish and their faecal matter, while their spending locally is negligible, meanwhile we wait our time and money bowing to them.
Instead, if the new Premier wanted to be really proactive on the tourism front, he'd take charge of HM Customs and get those parasites off of ruining the charter yachting industry (the tourists that really do spend money here!).
Sadly, having good sense and foresight has never been a prerequisite for running government though.
Visitors here didn't used to reveal to their friends where they were going, the BVI was their secret, Cane Garden Bay a hidden gem.
Nowadays they ask what days the cruise ships will NOT be in.
And while you are at it, please ask the Premier to remove BVIEC from you portfolio. You already said you have a conflict. It is wrong wrong wrong. Again, you are repeating the same mistakes and we the people have had enough!
But instead they rather listen to the self-serving chat from CLIA and then come spit the nonsense to us like as though it is the gospel. You elected officials need to learn the industry from us in the industry first.
You need to go look at the laws that are chasing our yachting industry away. Laws that make it hard for sports fishing to occur. Laws that are double taxing dive operators and their guest. Laws that are making it extremely expensive for day trippers to come from the USVI. You need to look at laws that will make it attractive for mega-yachts to call BVI their home port. You need to fix the mess over at YCCS between the Prince and Johnson, in order to get that mega yacht facility back up and running! Step in and make a decision on the sea bed rights. You need to look at working with airlines to increase routes to the BVI! You need to fix Taddy Bay Airport and Auguste Airports so private planes can land directly and clear customs and immigration.
Instead the blind is leading the blind. From Ministers of Tourism to chairperson of the Board, to the Director and now the Deputy Premier. No proper direction and no real knowledge of what is needed for the industry to thrive! Fix it Jesus!
BVIEC Burns practically the same fuel making power that this ship does lol.