Stop putting down the cruise industry
While stating that he isn’t offended when the Opposition members point out problems in the territory, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has asked them not to perpetuate the idea that the cruise industry has no impact on the local economy.
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn and other members of the Opposition have been calling on the government to place more focus on the overnight sector instead of gloating about the growth in cruise arrivals.
But Premier Wheatley said persons need to “calm down” the idea that cruise arrivals aren’t impactful, adding that taxi operators and the Port Authority benefit significantly from cruise arrivals.
“I wonder if any taxi drivers live in the Sixth or Second District? I mean, these taxi drivers have families and children, they go to the same supermarket, they have to buy food, they pay bills. Come on man, taxi drivers are people too and when they do well, the Virgin Islands does well. And trust me we have some taxi drivers that do very well,” Premier Wheatley told the House of Assembly on April 9.
He continued: “And the head tax (that each cruise passenger pays), that’s the Port Authority that employs so many individuals, they’re making good use of that head tax and they’re in a healthy situation. And another thing about cruise — quite a number of persons who come here as cruise passengers return as overnight guests. We could give you the numbers because a study was done on this by the FCCA.”
While defending the recent uptick in cruise arrivals, Premier Wheatley accepted that there needs to be a balance, adding that it is important to focus on overnight visitors, as it brings an even bigger value to the local economy. But he said that area has been doing well and has surpassed 2023 numbers for each month this year.
“For overnight in January, we had 31,136 guests and that is a 26.8 percent increase on last year so we’re heading in the right direction. So this is the point I’m trying to get across to you, the same overnight numbers you’re speaking about, they’re climbing every year.
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very true. how would bvi islanders have jobs and careers and professions. what would you do? turn to drugs and guns and crime? there is only political corruption and police corruption and crooked business and dealing in the bvi.
That the Port Authority and taxi makers make money off cruise ship visitors is exactly the point. Not restaurants, hotels, shops, car rental companies, charter companies etc. Exactly how much money do these day trippers bring in vs. longer term visitors?
Where do you get your information from? This is patently false. There are many more businesses that make money from the cruisers.
Exactly
The more Natalio opens his mouth, it’s the more you know how in****etent and nar****istic he is. He is nothing more than the remnants of his former leader.
I can’t wait for election to see the back of this man. To him the cruise business is only about taxi drivers. The same taxi drivers who complain about how embarrassed they are when tourists can’t even see the views because of the bushes and who constantly fall in the potholes in the road. I am convinced that Natalio has no shame whatsoever.
We need both! ask them for a detailed plan or come up with one. This back and forth have to stop!
People is merely saying get the Island in order before you invite guest and tourist to the Country. Fix the raw toilet sewage that is running in the streets, fix the deplorable roads that the guest have to drive on and maintain the overgrown bushes. After all you will not invite a guest into your home if it is filthy.
I had a worker tell me this 10 year ago, and the more I think about it, the more I see it is true.
Cruise ships are UGLY. They make beautiful locations look gross. The people are all smelly overweight UGLY people. IS anyone else noticing this???
The charter boat industry is BEAUTIFUL! Look at the sailboats on the horizon. Watch the happy charter people in the food stores and in the bars and restaurants.
The BVI should think about BEAUTY. That is what we are selling. This man is just looking at the money.
And FYI – what is up with the CRAZY cab fares!? It is $30 one way per person to go from the Valley VG to North Sound. NO DISCOUNT for number of people (just greed). I am constantly getting an ear full from tourists that are not prepared for this assault on their wallet when they get out of the cab to go to Hog Heaven (to spend money!)
100%
everyone is wondering why the cancer rate is so high in the BVI, has anyone ever take a look at all the smoke those cruise ship let off in the atmosphere while dock in port? something to think about
And if the many of you who feel that cruise tourism contributes little or any at all to this economy, just let there be a cessation of such activities.
..And the many of you,would soon realize that the jobs that you thought were secure, would, in short measure, disappear!
Because, many business owners, are heavily involved in cruise tourism, and do supplement other economic ventures, with such funds.
Careful, BVI!
DO NOT, bite off the hand that feeds ya!
Not true. If we slowed down the amount of cruisers we would attract a higher end tourist who stay on island and spend money at all businesses. Proven in Key West, FL. Cruise ships drive away desirable tourists and all of them complaining about how many ships come in .
What is our long term tourism plan, do we have one? According to the premier it is not rocket science. Says it all, the BVI is like a lost ship on a vast ocean currentkly with no clear direction.
More people more problems – we gonna need better infrastructure, better roads, more ambulance, more fire & rescue and more lifeguards.
In truth, the government does reap a benefit from the taxes that the cruise sheep pay. And it goes toward supporting a bloated bureaucracy. “Government as the largest employer in the country” is very much NOT a plus for the economy.
After that, the cruise industry is nothing if not the quintessential pollution mill. They in fact do not spend all that much money ashore, and the cruise ship companies go way out of their way to make sure that all their ancillary expendable cash is siphoned through the ship’s purser, thus halving the financial input into the local economies of the ports.
Venice, Italy, and Key West, Florida, are both moving to moderate the negative effects of massive cruise ship calls, and trust me, neither would do so if it was in the best interests of eight port’s financial well being.
the 2 year pandemic life in the BVI was more enjoyable for that period without these overcrowded cruise ships discharging thousands of cruisers to wander around Road Town and other places in the BVI for 8-10 hours and then leave.
Because of this overcrowding more visitors holiday somewhere else now instead of the BVI. Bottom line is cruise ships are reducing the amount of overnight and long term visitors to the BVI.
Globally, cruise is currently only 2% of the travel and tourism sector. In 2023 the Caribbean region had 12.9 million cruise passengers, and is the most visited region globally at 44% in total volume. The USVI reported in 2023 they have maintained 5% of that market share despite its 20+ year focus and investment on cruise ports exceeding hundreds of millions. Therefore, leaders can forecast the future of gambling on cruise is not beneficial which is aging and poor infrastructure, low paying jobs to support the industry, hyper inflation and high cost of living, high percentage of locals living in poverty.
Mr. Premier you have to learn to ignore people and don’t make them popular by answering and responding to them..Cruise put more food on much much more people table than any other tourist brocket..Over night tourist and yachting they spend a lot but only a few benefit..But one ship with 4000 people a lot and lots of people get food on their table.. Stop worrying
No one said Cruise doesnt contribute to the economy. What we have said is that it contributes the very least of any tourism sector period. The least! But yet we spend the absolute most money as a government, trying to pander to this sector, while we neglect day trip guests, yachters, land-based, activities and more. That is the point that people are making. Why spend a million dollars to cater to cruise tourists when they put far more pressure on our infrastructure that the value of what they contribute to the economy. We spend $60 million on that Pier Park to cater to our least contributing sector. Can you imagine if we spent that elsewhere in tourism?
The funny part is a cruise ship is in right now and so many people are busy making money they do not have time to comr on here commenting. The keyboard warriors are broke hating dead-enders, angry that its not them making the money.
“We could give you the numbers because a study was done on this by the FCCA.” Then do it – show us this study. And also the one where it shows that the average cruise ship guests spends around $20 on island. Please publish these two studies for everyone in the BVI to see! I don’t think you will, but here’s hoping!
Aruba showed that when their Cruise numbers dropped in 2015-2016, they saw an INCREASE in tourism revenue. This was because the overnight guests increased slightly in those years. Overnight guests spend $750 per day on average. Cruise ship tourists to the Caribbean spend $63 per person on average. And that US if they even get off the ship at all!
Quick Maths: 200 ships for the season. Average 2500 tourists per ship. Let’s say 50% get off the ship (and that is a lot!). That is 1,250 coming on shore x $20 head tax to the Port x $63 per person spend in BVI equals $25million in revenue (not profit). And 500k cruise tourists
But if just 50k overnight, day trippers and charter yacht guests come then that is $37.5 million in revenue with less stress on our traffic, sewerage system, water demands, tourist sites like the Baths, less air pollution, less damage to our marine life.
10% would contribute a minimum of almost 50% more revenue with far less expense needed from government.
Your Board of Tourism chairperson is dotish and don’t know tourism. Your Director is unqualified and inexperienced. Your Jr Minister is nice but clueless about tourism. You sir are simply inept because of the yes-men and women you have around you. OJ is clueless and your brother is as well. And these are your advisors. Kedrick Malone is outdated but he might be able to help you with tourism. Instead your smarty pants self stick him under COI implementation. Your entire tourism structure is simply a waste of time.
Remind me, how much tax do taxi drivers pay?
Here we go again, S!0w W@nde trying yo deflect away good questions that he is unable to respond to