USVI expects increase in cruise ship arrivals to St Croix in 2009
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| Published on Friday, August 15, 2008 |
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ST THOMAS, USVI: The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has announced the anticipated arrival of 48 cruise ships to St Croix in 2009, based on berthing requests submitted by the cruise lines.
The planned visits account for a substantial increase over 2008, when St Croix will welcome a total of three ships during the calendar year, including upcoming visits in October and November. Based on the 2009 berthing requests, next year’s arrivals will represent a total of 121,768 passengers to the island of St Croix with 43,986 crew members scheduled to support the 48 port of calls.
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USVI Governor John
deJongh, Jr. Photo:
Susan Mann |
The news comes following months of dialogue between the major cruise lines and the Territory’s Cruise Ship Working Group established by Governor John deJongh.
The group consists of representatives of the Office of the Governor, Office of the Lt. Governor, St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, Our Town Frederiksted, Virgin Islands Port Authority, The West Indian Corporation, Customs and Border Protection, Legislature of the Virgin Islands, members of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and the Department of Tourism.
The group’s efforts have included an expanded presence for the destination at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, March 10-13, 2008 and face-to-face meetings with cruise line partners to discuss increased service to the destination, with a focus on St. Croix.
In addition, the Department of Tourism has dedicated significant resources to provide marketing support for increased cruise ship arrivals to St. Croix. A new branding campaign for the island has been developed based on consumer research that underscores travelers’ desire for a Caribbean port of call that is “not like the rest” and feedback from the cruise lines seeking a distinct marketing identity for St. Croix.
The campaign, aptly themed “St. Croix: Your Port of Solace,” features print and broadcast advertisements as well as a new marketing video designed to transport visitors to a new state of mind to experience the island of St. Croix in all of its beauty, culture and history. The campaign’s marketing video features breathtaking images of notable sites throughout the island.
To prepare the destination for the return of cruise ships, the Department of Tourism in conjunction with the Economic Development Authority also hosted “The Preparing the Path Conference” earlier this month in St. Croix. The conference, attended by over 200 residents and business owners, offered seminars on topics ranging from customer service and tour operations to starting your own business.
“I speak on behalf of the entire Territory in sharing our excitement for the significant increase in cruise ship arrivals that we can anticipate for St. Croix in 2009,” said deJongh. “I would like to recognize the collaborative efforts of the Cruise Ship Working Group that made this news a reality. This news demonstrates that we are expanding our core tourism market by showcasing our offerings on St. Croix thereby opening new opportunities for our small businesses.”
“The expansion of cruise ship activity to St. Croix is an indication of the diversity of our tourism products and recognizes the strength of this sector and the fostering of long term relationships at local and national levels,” deJongh added.
Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty added, “It is our goal to continue to foster the growth of tourism to the destination by nurturing our relationships with the cruise industry in order to reach even more visitors in the domestic and international markets.” | | | | Reads : 620 | | | |
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