TPP renamed, 'Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park'
All dressed in white—signifying the purity and love that Mr Romney aka ‘CB’ had for his country—three generations of his decedents; children, grandchildren and great grandchildren along with other family members, stakeholders and the public, experienced an emotional tribute to the late Chief Minister & Businessman.
On stage, the youngest of his five children, all girls, Patricia M. Romney aka “Patty” struggled to swallow the tears as she reflected on the life of their father, “The Man who continues to be referred to by his initials, finally finally, has a deserving suffix, TPP… His legacy will always live on in his children and their children,” she said, noting that that BVI residents and visitors will get to see, hear and learn about the great tourism pioneer.
Stating that the day had great historic value, Ms Romney further said, “It has been a day, a long time in the making... well before the first shovel was turned to build this beautiful facility… This ceremony reflects and captures the honour and respect deserving to a native son, a hero of the BVI... A man who served this country selflessly beyond any one industry.”
She said that in both his public and private life, “CB gaved tirelessly to ensure that every BVIslander could have an opportunity to work for an honest living, and he encouraged people to own and operate a business within either of our two economic pillars; Financial Services and Tourism, both of which he was instrumental in establishing and developing in the VI.
‘Patty’ tells the History
Hiding the tears behind a dark sunglasses, she continued, “Our father entered the cruise business in the 1970s after being introduced to key industry players in St. Thomas by his cousin, John McCleverty.
“He started by offering tours from St. Thomas to Tortola and eventually convinced cruise lines to come to Tortola, in the process establishing Travel Plan Tours - together with our mom, for this purpose.”
According to Ms Romney, to this day, she recalls going on board vessels with her father to clear the ships and schmooze with the captains, Hotel and Tour Managers, “Our father knew that his girls were the deal clinchers, so he would always make it his business to take one of us on his numerous overseas trips to conferences in Miami, the UK, and Europe, to visit cruise line executives in their hometowns to promote the BVI.”
She further said that Mr Romney developed personal relations with many executives, who respected him and admired his zest for the industry, and love of his country, “Now, twelve years since his passing, many of those same cruise executives are still around and enjoy recounting to us the times they spent with the ardent, relentless and convincing ambassador of the Virgin Islands.”
Business Continues
As a family, his five daughter continues to invest in his legacy businesses by providing buses, boats, personnel, activities and locations for guests throughout the islands; thereby, fulfilling his vision of becoming a top tier tourist destination whilst at the same time minimizing the perception of negative impact of mass tourism in these Islands.
They said that their father also made sure business opportunities were available to locals and those efforts assured BVIslander ownership of more than 80% of the businesses affiliated with cruise tourism.
Among others giving remarks at the opening was Subject Minister, Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) who was instrumental in the renaming, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Chief Executive Officer of the Pier Park Vance M. Lewis and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BVI Ports Authority Wendell M. Gaskin.
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