Norwegian cancelled due to state of the BVI?
Although the Premier and Minister of Ports have not given the reason for the recent cancellation of Norwegian Breakaway’s calls to the BVI, Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn believes that the decision was made because of the poor state of the infrastructure in the community.
Norwegian Breakaway – which has the capacity for nearly 4,000 visitors – cancelled visits that were scheduled to take place in May and June. The cancellations are expected to significantly impact the territory’s overall cruise numbers, which the government has been applauding for some time now.
Some residents believe the cruise line cancelled the calls because poor infrastructure is ruining the guest experience.
According to Norwegian, they cancelled because of recent guest feedback, and “to accommodate certain circumstances including but not limited to fuel optimisation.”
Walwyn said when he examines the statement made by the cruise line, he is convinced they were indirectly referring to the state of the territory.
“Reading in between the lines from here (Norwegian statement), there’s a problem with our [tourism] product and we have to start paying attention to that,” Walwyn stated in an interview with JTV. “That’s why I’ve been asking the Premier constantly in the House of Assembly, where is your tourism plan? We don’t have one. So we’re shooting in the dark and the same issues that are affecting everyday life for citizens are now affecting the tourism industry.”
There have been numerous calls for the government to prioritize infrastructure upgrades such as those related to roads, water, electricity, and port facilities as well as problems in health and education. Residents, elected leaders and tourism stakeholders have warned that infrastructure breakdowns will soon have a negative impact on the tourism product, which many depend on for survival.
There is also a widely-held view that the Natalio Wheatley administration is focused on the wrong priorities – such as international travel and entertainment festivals. However, the government continues to maintain that it is doing its best to fix the infrastructure and that entertainment events will provide the funds needed to address those problems.
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But he want invest in music fest pure lunacy this dude moving like he ain’t got no sense at all
Legalize weed already watch the ship reschedule, over night increase. Focusing on single parties is silly when you could be championing the cause as you did before the Premier was arrested.
So that we can have more car accidents (given the increase in numbers in the Territory); more unpaid bills and so more cries for government handouts. Weed unchecked will pull this place down faster than it is going now. I don’t want to have to worry about an elected official, already struggling with having to solve complex issues, doing his job whilst high on weed
Not News
Of course they did the roads are sickening,Road town itself smell the dog shit!! The road sides and street are not groomed!! Plus the man homeless in town scaring the tourists!! And the leaders of our government just there lay back seeing the issues,and doing nothing!! WE THE PEOPLE ARE PATIENTLY WAITING FOR NEXT VOTING DAY!! It will all be next picks! Or we will voted for UK
the cruise ship passengers only get to experience it for a few hours.
What about we poor suckers who live here?!
The roads were poor when NDP was in power. Don’t talk like it was better. Your District is no exception, even though you inherited the situation, VIP inherit it from NDP too.
Yes, the infrastructure is terrible and Governments over many years are to blame for that.
But Norwegian’s reasoning is correct. I have friends sailing on them in July, who have been diverted TO Tortola FROM St. Croix. So, just accept that cruise ships change itineraries for a number of reasons.
Better still, fix our infrastructure ASAP. I cannot understand why there isn’t already a very clear program of road and other public works scheduled, costed and ready to go (with EXPERTS doing the work, not our Mickey Mouse firms who have no idea about proper road constructions and drainage standards).
I agree that cruise ships change their itineraries for a number of reasons but Norwegian’s statement was they cancelled because of “recent guest feedback” What could these guest feedback be that would prompt them to pull their ships? Government needs to do a forensic assessment of this statement and make the necessary improvements ASAP!
I know I say the same thing over and over but focusing on cruise ships is not the way to make the territory succeed. There are studies on the web about the reduction of ships into Key West and how this resulted in higher dollar spend and longer stays from tourists, as well as repeat visitors.
The infrastructure, particularly in Tortola, is shambles and that needs work to get better tourism too. Fix roads, remove derelict vehicles in water and in bushes, put landscaping around town and the roads. The BVI is one of the most beautiful places on earth but it’s hard to see right now because of the ugliness of the surroundings. Most important though, take care of the people of the BVI. Happy and healthy people emit pride which will be felt by tourists.
You know what are the top two questions my guests ask when we touring?
1) Why are your roads so bad?
2) Why are you destroying your nature when you have such beautiful islands?
Guess what I tell them?
Hmmm Could this decision be linked to our sewage problem, drainage problem, lack of vision, realistic goals and strategy, crumbling infrastructure, terrible negotiating at the highest levels, lack of value for money, etc etc….starts at the top!
Top many criminal and missing cruise passengers although the missing ones are probably criminals.
I’ve read all the bloggs and Mr walyne article which is far from the truth i do mostly tours every time a ship comes to port and hear the comments from the tourist believe what you and i are seeing is not they see because qhen they compare Tortola to other destination they came from previous to getting here we are a beauty and clean country. So yes Myron the roads , the sewage , proper drainage needs tobe fix no question so i can only imagine if all this is done what they would say. Government after government and everyone is the same just talk no one seems to have the knowledge or the skills to move the BVI to the next level this government present and past have made money and look at the state ,we need value for money not wasting of public funds.
Finally they caught on to our bull-s**t, people have said so many times that we don’t have much to offer. Norwegian played us very well, they just showed how much we need the Cruise Industry, and spat it in our faces!
They can easily pick a better destination to replace us.
The poppy-show administration only there to travel and hire high priced consultants do nothing; Oh and throw parties cant forget that.
News in the US mentions several missing foreigners recently
WThe people of the BVI are well aware of this and screaming out to fix the roads, Sewage, Electricity, Healthcare, Government. Everything is failing and because a cruise ship cancels your now area of the issues. Finally someone has woken up to the fact that the BVI is a mess and needs some major work to to bring it upto a basic level. Ive never lived anywhere where the electricity goes off daily. WHY? We had a complete new infrastructure after Irma and the same old issues are here. WHY?
they wont learn till ALLL the cruise lines start sayin NOPE we not comin!
This slowandie and this jamming a party thing gone overboard now, look I call on all opposition members to appear at the premiere office and join hands an block the entrance on protest of his irresponsible financial management of the countries scarce resources and money, Lorna should caution him because she possess financial expertise unlike the premiere who immersed himself in that position to wield the big stick of power, so it shows desperation for power in Wheatley head.if the opposition stand up against him in that manner it would be broadcast worldwide on the medias and highlight his incompetence. Stop this family and friend thing in government and put BVI first, it’s not a club you are in, you are in a war for the survival of future generations.
Why chase Cruise Ship Passengers – low spend and low contribution . Focus should be high end, Yachting that is where the real money is.