VI & USVI discuss need for consistent ferry service between Territories
This is according to Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who spoke at the BVI Tourist Board’s annual Tourism Industry Meeting yesterday November 1, 2012 at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, HLSCC Campus in Paraquita Bay.
“Governor [John] de Jongh and I spoke about how our territories can work together to ensure that there is consistent ferry service between the BVI and USVI so that passengers are able to travel to the Territory in a safe and hassle free manner. Our tourism delegation agreed that the standing committee for tourism be activated. I know that Chairman [Russell] Harrigan and his team have already initiated a meeting with the USVI Commissioner of Tourism with a view to agreeing on concrete solutions to these issues.”
Premier Smith further said Government has mapped out a viable structure to ensure and enable full cooperation between the public and private sectors to further strengthen and safeguard the Territory’s tourism industry and critical strategic decisions are continuing to be made to bolster the global brand for the Virgin Islands.
One of the ways for revitalising the sector to attract more visitors, Premier Smith said, is to address the issue of air access in the medium and long term. To address this issue in the long term, he continued, Government has taken a decision to extend the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport to accommodate direct air access to the Territory.
“We believe that direct flights to the Territory will enhance the long term viability of our tourism sector placing it on a solid foundation for the future. We aim to give all those who have invested in our tourism a reasonable assurance that we can get travellers to the destination competitively, in a timely and cost effective manner. We recognise that by providing never before possible direct access to our tourism product, we will definitely propel our tourism sector to levels we have not to date been able before to realise. This will result in real benefits for the private and public sectors well into the future,” Premier Smith posited.
The leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government said focus is also being placed short and near term solutions and Government is engaged in an aggressive strategy to increase the number of available airline seats to the Virgin Islands. These efforts, Premier Smith said, have been spearheaded by the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI Airport Authority with support from the Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and other ministries of Government.
“We have had extensive consultations with local, regional and international carriers to ensure that residents and visitors have direct access to the Territory for the winter season this year and beyond. We have been meeting with a number of carriers about our programmes and plans for the winter ahead and beyond. We have met with Seaborne, Cape Air, LIAT, Neville Brathwaite Jr., and American Eagle.”
Premier Smith also told the persons in attendance that Government is also working towards improving infrastructure to expand and upgrade the facilities at the cruise pier so that visitors via cruise lines can have better access; even as the Territory continues to work directly with cruise lines and operators in an effort to build relationships and attract year round cruises to the Islands.
It was also stated that this year Government has been paying close attention to its primary markets in the US and Europe, while at the same examining new market opportunity in Canada and South America where the economies of Brazil, Chile and Argentina continue to be very strong.
Current plans, Premier Smith said, call for the establishment of a formal presence in both of these market areas within the first half of 2013.
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18 Responses to “VI & USVI discuss need for consistent ferry service between Territories”
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Take control of this country and fix these problems. Stop letting vested interests control our development because all they do is hold us back at best - but usually take us backwards.
Old time days have gone. Let's fix this country for the sake of all its people, not just a few big names.