Lewis expects busy December period for cruises to carry into 2022
Chief Executive Officer of the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTTP), Vance Lewis, said the December period has been the most successful in terms of cruise ships arrivals since the reopening of the local cruise industry back in October.
Lewis said the Christmas period proved the busiest for the Pier Park as they were seeing two ships almost every day. He said he expects this success to spill into the new year.
“Over 30 ships visited CBRTPP in December 2021 and more than that [is] scheduled for January 2022,” Vance Lewis said. “We are looking forward to more success in the 2022 season—more of the same that happened here in December,” Lewis said.
The CEO said the arrival of cruise ships plays a key part in the local economy and makes up most of the revenue that Pier Park tenants earn.
However, Lewis said he could not provide exact details how much success these tenants reaped from the uptick in business because of these cruise ship arrivals.
“We have not had a meeting with the tenants to know the exact level of business the ships have brought into the Pier Park for customers, but the observation of cruise passengers coming and going throughout the period indicates things are getting better,” Lewis stated.
During the first month of the cruise industry reopening, tenants had complained that cruise passengers were not being allowed to interact with businesses at the Pier Park. However, tenants had indicated that things had improved for them since then and more customers from the cruise ships have been stopping by the shops to browse and buy items.
In September of last year, Premier and Minister of Tourism Andrew Fahie explained that the Virgin Islands would have lost well in excess of $10 million in revenue if his government had not decided to reopen the local cruise industry this season.
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Busy doing rapid and pcr testing from these disease carrying vessels?
Would you guys pave that disgusting parking lot!!!
And what is the point of residents not being able to park inside the pier when a ship is in? It is so stupid and just bad for business.
The shops depend primarily on the residents to shop. It seems like when the tourist come the “locals” have to take a back seat. I could say it another way but …
Do the cruise passengers need us or we need them? It’s not every day the cruise ships are here. A little inconvenience now and then is not too much to ask of residents when the ships are in. We may not be benefitting from them directly but we need the tax!! Cruise ships can choose to go anywhere!!
Don’t talk to fast Mr Lewis. This new Covid wave is a serious thing. Lord I pray it don’t stop the progress we start making and set us back again. Help us lord. Drive this thing away.I pray.
The Tenants are making money especially from the Norwegian Ships.Disney The American Ships those are spenders. Those are the Ships we need to Target.. Those are the ships we know we going to have a good day when they come.. Locals are also shopping at the Pier Park in great numbers I was surprise of the Festival shopping atmosphere for thanks giving leading up to Christmas. The have putting additional parking and parking attendance…Good Job Mr. Vance and your team..
Vance, how many ships planned for Jan?
That’s the reason for the high rise in covid-19 cases. These tourists from off the ship do not wear their mask properly or on at all.
I’ve seen them, tempted to take pictures and post my proof on line, but here to small to do this.
St. Thomas is not allowing certain ships in, but we de moo-moo to allow them in.
Money kills and so do Covid-19.
So because our numbers are small, we need to allow the discarded ships to our shores?
Why are the thousands of tourists allowed to walk round without masks? I have to wear a mask in my office all the time – whats the point is the tourists are not wearing them?
Why are the thousands of tourists allowed to walk round without masks? I have to wear a mask in my office all the time – whats the point is the tourists are not wearing them? And if they spread Covid around the Island whats the cost? – 13 people in hospital.