Ferry operators urged to adapt as airlift steals business
Amid concerns from ferry operators that direct flights from the United States to the BVI are affecting their business, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has again urged the industry to adapt to the changing travel landscape.
Ferry services have traditionally relied on passengers traveling from the US Virgin Islands (USVI) to the BVI. However, with American Airlines now offering direct flights from Miami to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, more visitors are bypassing ferry routes altogether.
Premier Wheatley said direct airlift to the BVI is expected to increase, especially with the government’s plans to extend the airport runway. In light of this, he encouraged ferry operators to explore new business opportunities.
“What we would like for persons to understand is that we are going to extend our runway and what we should be doing as businesses is thinking of ways of diversifying our business. We have to learn to find ways to evolve and adapt. If we don’t do that, we won’t be sustainable,” the Premier said.
He suggested operators consider tapping into the growing demand for inter-island travel within the BVI.
“There’s a thriving marine business within the VI — going to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, doing cruises in our waters. So as a certain level of traffic decreases, we have to adapt our business model to continue to thrive,” he added.
While reinforcing the government’s commitment to developing airlift, Premier Wheatley said he remains open to dialogue with ferry operators to help them transition.
“We may also have to speak to the Ports Authority and perhaps see, if we do have reduced numbers (of ferry passengers), how we can adjust the scheduling to accommodate reduced numbers. But there is a reality that once the airport is built, there will be less need to fly out of the US Virgin Islands and I think everybody has to prepare themselves for that,” he stated.
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People had to change the way they travelef because sailing between Tortola and St. Thomas is too expensive. From $45 to $50 round trip, its $75 one way. The ferry opdrators escalated the price during hurricanes Irma and Maria crisis and have not adjusted the fares. You can get to to the mainland for the same amount you pay to travel to St. Thomas by boat which is a 45 minutes sail. Why are they complaining? Greed does not pay dividends in the end. It just makes smarter consumers who look for alternative means to save money. They can do better, but since there are no government regulations ghey do what they want. I fly BVI to Miami, Miami to New York. Much cheaper than sailing to St.Thomas, taxi to the airport. People are getting smarter as we should.
@ bishop
Very,well said.
Natalio wants to become a millionaire from the airport project and we all know what he wants to do.
He wants to do just like Mark for the cruise ship project.
No to slo**ande!
I agree with the Premier to some extent. Yes explore the interisland travel within the BVI. In the case of Anegada a daily ferry route would increase travel for locals. A mid day route as well. Make ot more accesible. Do day cruises to the sister islands direct from the cruise ship/cruise pier. They don’t like to put their tenders out. As a business owner in Amegada I get calls for business from cruise ship passengers but can’t capitalize on them because the current ferry schedule has the ferry leaving Tortola BEFORE the cruise passengers disembark at Tortola and returning to Tortola AFTER cruise passengers are required to board the ship. It would be nice if a ferry could get with a cruise ship and offer Anegada as a shore excursion destination. Try this for starters: one ferry per day Tiesday, Thursday and Saturdays. The Anegadians can also make use of the return trips so that the ferry doesn’t have to stay in Anegada all day.
I COULDN’T HAVE PUT ANY BETTER ) BUT I WILL ADD SOMETHING HERE , EVEN SOME OF THOSE TAXI VANS THAT TRAVEL FROM EAST TO TO ROADTOWN AND FROM ROAD TOWN TO EAST IS ACTING LIKE JAWS , THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PUT A FIXED PRICE OR CREATE A BUS SERVICE FOR US POOR PEOPLE BECAUCE WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF THOSE TAXI DRIVERS WITH THEIR TRUM MENTALITY ( WHO SHOULD ADAPT THE PRINCIPLE OF ” LIVE AND LET LIVE ” LOOKS THEY WANT TO BECOME MILLIONAIRES OVERNIGHT