Interim policy in place for cruise tourism in BVI
Friday, April 9, 2004
ROAD TOWN, BVI: British Virgin Islands Chief
Minister Dr. Orlando Smith has announced that an interim policy is in effect
for the number of large cruise ships and cruise passengers visiting the BVI
each day. Speaking on Thursday in the
Legislative Council, he said Executive Council authorised the Chief Minister’s
Office to implement the interim arrangement until a comprehensive policy for
the cruise industry is put in place. The
Chief Minister said the policy, which took effect on 1st March, 2004, deals
with the number of cruise ship visits in Road Harbour per day, but does not
affect small cruise ships which may be anchored at other locations in the
Territory. He pointed out that the policy
allows for a maximum of three large cruise ships in Road Harbour, including
the Cruise Ship Pier, on any given day. Dr.
Smith said the Chief Minister’s Office notified all cruise ship agents in
February by way of letter of the interim policy.
Large cruise ships are categorised as having more than 1,000 passengers.
The Chief Minister said there is need for a “redirecting” of BVI cruise
tourism to ensure the Territory’s resources are not over-extended.
He said this will result in many benefits for the industry, including being
able to regulate the number of cruise ship visits; avoiding congestion in the
Capital and in other parts of the Territory; establishing a balance between
the environmental impacts and economic benefits of the sub-sector; controlling
overcrowding at beaches; spreading tourists throughout the BVI; diversifying
tourist activities; and using cruise ships to advertise the BVI as an upscale
destination. Dr. Smith stressed that the
Territory’s cruise tourism must focus on ownership; management and
sustainability of the sub-sector; experience of cruise visitors; provision for
monitoring the carrying capacity of infrastructure; value added to the BVI
economy; and implementation and enforcement of a cruise policy.
He recalled that, in 1994, Government put in place a policy on cruise tourism
that ensured visitors to the BVI enjoyed their stay and wanted to return. The
policy set limits in the Territory to 2000 visitors per day, recognising that
the capacity for affording them a satisfactory stay was limited, and provided
for the development of alternative sites and experiences.
Dr. Smith noted that, as the cruise
sub-sector continues to grow, the upgrading of infrastructure for visitors
remains inadequate, resulting in overuse in some areas as well as
unsatisfactory experiences. Recognising these challenges, Government has
embarked on an initiative to improve management of the sub-sector, and the
first step is to review the policy on cruise tourism to ensure proper mix with
all the other sub-sectors of the tourism industry.
Apart from an interim policy, which came into effect on 1st March, the BVI
Tourist Board was mandated to prepare a comprehensive report on cruise tourism
for the Territory. The report, which was handed over to the Chief Minister’s
Office on 1st April, will eventually be tabled in the House.
The process of preparing the report involved a series of Territory-wide public
consultations with residents, holding meetings with stakeholders and
Government agencies, obtaining written feedback via an email address on the
Tourist Board’s website and researching the subject area at the regional and
international levels. The Chief Minister said
Government is reviewing the report to ensure all factors are taken into
account before arriving at a policy, which will guarantee that all visitors
enjoy their stay that the tourism sector continues to play a vital role in the
economy. Dr. Smith said he is aware that some
stakeholders are expressing concern about the implementation of a cruise
tourism policy in the BVI and about how they will benefit from it.
The Chief Minister said he is however encouraging public debate on the matter,
as this will enhance the process of regulating the tourism industry in the BVI
as well as improve the experiences of visitors to the BVI.
He stated that it is “not uncommon” for
members of the public to express concern whenever their Government is about to
embark on a new venture and that his Administration is willing to facilitate
further discussion and obtain more feedback on the subject area before any
policy is implemented.
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