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VI seeing ‘Robust Recovery’ of Cruise Tourism industry post-pandemic– Hon Rymer

- 794,489 cruise passengers forecasted for upcoming tourism season
September 9th, 2023 | Tags: cruise Virgin Islands Tortola Kye M. Rymer tourism
He added that with the VI cruise industry one that offers a variety of experiences, the Ministry of Communications and work, in partnership with the BVI Ports Authority has seen a remarkable surge in cruise passenger arrivals since the summer of 2021. Photo: Youtube/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer added that with the VI cruise industry being one that offers a variety of experiences, the Ministry of Communications and work, in partnership with the BVI Ports Authority has seen a remarkable surge in cruise passenger arrivals since the summer of 2021. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Kye M. Rymer added that with the VI cruise industry being one that offers a variety of experiences, the Ministry of Communications and work, in partnership with the BVI Ports Authority has seen a remarkable surge in cruise passenger arrivals since the summer of 2021. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following a downturn in cruise passenger arrivals since the start of the pandemic in 2019, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has informed that the industry has made a robust recovery with more passengers arrival in the VI for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.

“The cruise industry in the Virgin Islands plays a vital role in the overall tourism sector, contributing to the economic growth and development of these beautiful islands,” Hon Rymer said during the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, on September 7, 2023.

“With its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and breathtaking landscapes, the Virgin Islands has emerged as a popular destination. For cruise operators and tourists alike, Madam Speaker, the cruise industry and Virgin Islands offer a diverse range of experiences, from leisurely sea voyages to exhilarating water sports activities,” he said.

He added that with the VI cruise industry being one that offers a variety of experiences, the Ministry of Communications and work, in partnership with the BVI Ports Authority has seen a remarkable surge in cruise passenger arrivals since the summer of 2021.

More passengers forecasted for upcoming season 

This he said has signaled a robust recovery in the cruise tourism sector following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, “The BVI Ports Authority and the ministry's unwavering commitment to providing a secure and inviting atmosphere has played a pivotal role in the upswing of cruise tourism with exceptional passenger numbers underscoring a positive trajectory that is expected to continue into the upcoming 2023-2024 season,” he said. 

The Minister shared that The BVI Ports Authority is anticipating an exceptional cruise tourism season in 2023-2024 and based on ongoing trends and projected estimates, the forecast indicates that passenger numbers are set to reach an impressive Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-Nine (794,489) during the upcoming tourism season.

Honourable Rymer in sharing more detailed statistics on the cruise passenger arrivals and how likely cruise passengers are to return to a destination that they’ve previously visited on a cruise ship said, “These statistics highlight the cruise industry's significance and robustness, not only for the Virgin Islands but also for our entire region, offering promising economic opportunities for job creation and the growth of local businesses.”

16 Responses to “VI seeing ‘Robust Recovery’ of Cruise Tourism industry post-pandemic– Hon Rymer ”

  • pat (09/09/2023, 10:03) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    So why they canceled the recent ships?
    • overseas (09/09/2023, 13:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Pat you obviously not in the cruise industry or you would know the reason.
      • @ overseas (09/09/2023, 14:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        But the Truth is the Truth and you," Can't handle the TRUTH."
  • Wonderful (09/09/2023, 10:22) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Taxi drivers do a great job of welcoming tourists to our shores, hope they are treated fairly in this
    industry. Again, wonderful.
  • Blind Man (09/09/2023, 10:45) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    The cruise tourism is very good for the territory all government needs to do is emprove the infrastructure, open brandywine bay as water sports beach so persons can invest and give the tourist the options. We have the location let's maximize it eventually something similar to coral world.
  • 2023 (09/09/2023, 10:59) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    outside of valuable statistics in terms of the number of persons entering the country what is the actually monetary contributions to the economy…..
  • shark (09/09/2023, 14:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    We driving on the poor ass roads
    • @ shark (09/09/2023, 17:40) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      you are driving on Holy-Roads!!!!
      the road through out our country are filled with potholes

      listen to house of assembly, million here a million there but the holes in our roads can not get repaired
  • ccc (09/09/2023, 14:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bvi is still Paradise!
  • facts (09/09/2023, 15:55) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    We all can thank the former Primer Mr Andrew Fahie for going above and beyond to keep our tourist in industry up with the airlines and cruise ship passengers coming to the Virgin Islands, in slow season and all year round. Now we are reaping the fruits from his labor, and we must continue to build on all what was started for the good of the VI.
    • East End woman (09/09/2023, 21:43) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      More and more people realizing what you are saying is factual especially during and after covid. I really am not a fan of fahie but as most people on the street are seeing & saying he did more good for the BVI than bad. If he was not at the helm during Covid most of us and our businesses and the economy would have been dead. You have to give jack his jacket.
  • Lord 0. (09/09/2023, 16:45) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This must be the only country where Airport and Cruise Ship port isn't under the ministry of tourism..Poor Kye has too much on his plate, No wonder our infrastructure is falling apart.. Visitors & #s is a tourism issue. We need to make this change..
  • Remember (09/09/2023, 18:02) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    90% of cruise ship visitors to the BVI NEVER get off the ship or only walk as far as the Pier Park. There is more to do on most of the cruise ships every day than they could do on 1 day in the BVI!









    • @Remember. Not true.. (10/09/2023, 06:02) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Get your facts, here are the facts..85% of passengers get off the ship, from that 85% - 47% percent have pre-book tours, by bus and boat..35% get on a Pier Park Taxi to go some where and 3% walk around and into town..The question is what can we do on land to get the other 15% that stays on the ship off the ship and also what can we do to get more of them walking into the city to support local businesses... Cruise ship passengers spend a lot, Taxis are not free, beach chairs and umbrella, food and drinks and souvenirs are not free. as a matter a fact if you do the maths you will realize that cruise passengers feed more people in the BVI than any other entity...So a ship with 4000 pas, 600 stays on board, 16000 do prebook., then you have little over 600 needing a taxi and, then you have a little over a hundred walking around.. These figures are close not exact..
  • Lodger (original) (10/09/2023, 04:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our government has very little to do with the iincrease in cruise ship calls. Its all down to the cruise companies regaining their business after the pandemic.
  • banks (11/09/2023, 00:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honourable Rymer in sharing more detailed statistics on the cruise passenger arrivals and how likely cruise passengers are to return to a destination that they’ve previously visited on a cruise ship said, “These statistics highlight the cruise industry's significance and robustness, not only for the Virgin Islands but also for our entire region, offering promising economic opportunities for job creation and the growth of local businesses.”

    SO WHERE ARE THE DETAILED STATISTICS THAT HE SHARED? ISNT THIS WHAT THE NEWS MEDIA SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON AND SHARING?


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