We’re ready | Grand welcome planned for Disney’s return
A section of Tortola.
The British Virgin Islands will be buzzing with activities to welcome Disney Cruise Line back into the territory on August 28, the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) has said.
These hospitality activities are planned for the islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
“The BVI Tourist Board will have music on the apron in front of government administrative building as well as a sampling of local treats and beverages. There will be music as well as on the pier in Spanish Town (on Virgin Gorda),” said Tourism Director Sharon Flax-Brutus.
Visitors on Tortola will also have the opportunity to take pictures with Miss World BVI 2018, Yadali Thomas Santos.
Visitors can likewise expect to see BVITB staff stationed throughout the territory’s tourist areas to provide support.
“We will be in a state of readiness to provide the guests with the great BVI hospitality and good guest experience that the traveller to the BVI has come to expect,” Flax-Brutus said.
“We are encouraging all residents to show BVI pride and practice our guest-service experience components – safety, friendliness, authenticity and efficiency,” she added.
Tourist spots getting prepped
In the meantime, several tourist spots are being prepped for the cruise ship’s return.
Bathrooms facilities and an information centre at Cane Garden Bay have been renovated and new vendor stalls built, Flax-Brutus said.
New vegetation and safety beach signs have also been installed at the location, she said.
Fresh signs have also been placed at The Baths on Virgin Gorda. That attraction have also been furnished with new umbrellas for shade and comfort of visitors.
By next week, more signs will be placed along the road from the Cruise Pier to Main Street and the task of keeping the territory clean is ongoing, Flax-Brutus stated.
In addition, taxi operators and their vehicles will be inspected for the cruise line’s return.
The Disney is one of two major cruise lines that cancelled all their scheduled calls to the British Virgin Islands following the 2017 hurricanes.
The Norwegian Cruise Line had also pulled out. Norwegian are now slated to return in October.
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Way too soon in my opinion – the negative feedback anticipated will set us back significantly – we have poor roads,raw sewage untreated pouring into the sea, debris still not removed, derelict cars everywhere, whilst we need to get tourism back on track where is the coherent plan to get these things addressed? there is none the “No Direction Party” continues to underwhelm us and believe me it will come back to bite us – just wait for those negative social media posts and we have only ourselves to blame – we should have put them off until next year at the earliest
Of course…..this seems to be the best face that the BVI wants to put forward.
Just like when you guys said too soon to open the schools but look at the results. Disney has been here time and time again since the storms, they know what the issues are, they’re not stupid. They do not expect perfection 10 months after, but we are getting there and we are happy they’re returning to boost our flailing economy.
If really serious about growing the Tourism Pillar, this needs to be full time and supported by the government and don’t let the improvements be allowed to deteriorate as usual.
Lipstick on a pig
Lol
I’ll bet the tourists will be thrilled with the Toilet facilities as they walk by them on there way into town! Really– in 11 months they couldn’t have been repaired. We’re showing the visitors lots of class. Shame Shame
How do you expect to pay for all the things you CONSTANTLY whine about without tourism dollars? Let Sharon Flax do her job- some thing you ALL might consider. Don’t like debris? Go pick some debris up. Don’t like the facilities? Contribute to the solution. Complain online about people actually trying? Step aside and let grown folks do the work for you, child. SMH you lot would cry and moan if BVI had streets of gold. I don’t ever see any solutions offered by you. Just complaining. MAYNE THATS WHY EVERY OTHER COUNTRY HAS RECOVERED EXCEPT BVI. do nothing, get nothing. Didn’t you get raised better than this?
Maybe not
I fear the media feedback as we are not ready to receive tourists, our roads are dangerous and appalling, sewage continues to pour into our waters and our island is littered still with debris and derelict cars – wake up BVI you continue to press for a return of cruise ships before we are ready and it will be a dreadful experience that will harm us for a long time….Trip Adviser will be live with negative feedback…