Edward Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the West Indian Company Ltd., said Tuesday that cruise lines are the big players in the tourism industry of the Virgin Islands. Despite the uncertainty in the leadership of the V.I. government’s Department of Tourism, given last week’s firing of Commissioner Michael Bornn, Thomas said the cruise industry is "alive and well."
In an interview with WSTA Radio Thomas said an all-out effort is being made to attract port calls by cruise ships that canceled their regularly scheduled visits as a result of the threat of last month’s Hurricane Jose.
"We are trying to get back on track and retrace some of the cruises," he said. As an example he cited Wednesday's unscheduled visit of the S/S Norway.
On other issues, the WICO head said plans are going forward to begin work on the dock to accommodate the larger Eagle class ships which will begin calling in the Virgin Islands.
"We have secured the required Army Corps of Engineers and DPNR permits," Thomas said, adding that work should begin in April and be completed in time for the opening of the 2000 tourist season. The first of the new class of mega ships is scheduled to call on St. Thomas in November.
Thomas also said Monday’s two cruise ship visits to St. Croix showed that the marketing and incentive effort to promote the big island as a port of call is yielding positive results.
About a year ago, then Gov. Roy Schneider tapped Thomas to negotiate additional port calls to St. Croix by cruise lines which regularly call on St. Thomas.
"There is no doubt that the efforts we have put in for St. Croix are working to our advantage," Thomas said.
He noted that the construction of an additional berthing dolphin off the Ann Abramson Pier in Frederiksted will accommodate vessels longer than 900 feet.
Thomas estimated that the Virgin Islands will see 950 to 970 port calls territory-wide in the year 2000, with that number steadily increasing with up to 1,000 port calls in the territory in 2001.