February 19th, 2015 -- A commercial-entertainment village open to the public, offering world-class customer service training, prime retail space for Virgin Islands’ artisans, topped off by a year-round cruise tourism calendar, is what the BVI Cruise Pier Expansion Project proposes to offer the Territory’s social and cultural landscape.
The project, which began last fall, involves the lengthening, widening and strengthening of the pier, and a 4-acre landside development featuring commercial and entertainment spaces.
Regarding social benefits associated with the project, Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr. Claude O. Skelton Cline said he thinks it will foster enhanced pride, stating, “The cruise pier development is being done by the BVI, for the BVI. This is a project that all Virgin Islanders can claim as their own. BVI stands to benefit from a new sense of pride, knowing that we have done something to benefit our children’ children.”
Mr. Cline also referenced the global marketing services offered by both Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line (DCL), as provided in the berthing agreements.
“Aside from the obvious benefits from being promoted alongside these major brands in terms of the potential for visitor growth, we also stand to benefit from enhanced reputation by association. Fact is, BVI looks even better having signed these agreements with two of the four major cruise lines. It says to the world that they have faith in this project and destination,” said Mr. Cline.
“The BVI stands to welcome well over 600,000 cruise passengers for the upcoming season. This presents us with over 600,000 opportunities to present BVI culture through music, crafts, foods and other artefacts and promote them throughout the world,” said Mr. Cline.
Referencing the family-focused theme of the park, Dona Regis, CEO of Tortola Pier Park Limited (TPPL), said locals can enjoy spending time with their families and friends in an appropriate environment that offers a great mix of food, retail and entertainment.
As for other benefits offered by the park, the CEO said, “The park will serve as an example to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who wish to strike a better balance between product and services being offered and customer service excellence.”
To that end, Ms. Regis said the BVIPA and TPPL are eager to begin quality customer service training that is to be hosted by the Disney Institute, a service attached to DCL’s berthing agreement.
“For TPPL, customer service excellence is paramount to achieving our brand image, as we are a family-focused entertainment hub that offers quality retail with culinary variety,” said Ms. Regis.
Ms. Regis said attention will be given to not only those businesses inside the park, but also those ancillary businesses that are created as a result of the park and the influx of cruise passengers.
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