by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 12:20 PM ET, Mon March 28, 2022
The U.S. Virgin Islands and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) have entered into a partnership for 2023 that includes strategic development of its resources to help guide the islands in growing its cruise tourism industry.
The FCCA represents the interests of both destinations, cruise lines and stakeholders within the industry. The agreement will focus on increasing the islands' economic impact from cruising, including increasing cruise calls, new experiences, growing jobs and promoting the destination via travel agents and promotional materials.
The FCCA Executive Committee, which comprises presidents and others in key leadership roles across the association's member cruise lines, which include Oceania, Holland, Carnival and many more, will be able to collaborate with the U.S. Virgin Islands to achieve these goals.
"We are grateful for the U.S. Virgin Islands' support through the pandemic, with this landmark agreement being more proof of their dedication to cruise tourism, and we cannot be more excited to reciprocate the faith they have shown in us and the industry by maximizing their benefits from the sector," said Michele Paige, President, FCCA. "Through this agreement, the U.S. Virgin Islands will have FCCA's full commitment to fulfilling the destination's initiatives, including assisting the private sector and helping all locals prosper from the economic impact that the industry brings."
The U.S. Virgin Islands are positioned for growth in the cruise industry. According to the "Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies" report from 2018, the islands earned $184.7 million in cruise tourism expenditures, with $77.9 million in total employee wage income in the Caribbean cruise year spanning 2017-2018.
"The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates its steadfast partnership with FCCA and its Member Lines," said USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte. "Strategic marketing and collaborative programs promoting the allure of the cruise industry and our awe-inspiring islands are expected to provide the Territory with a springboard for a speedy resumption, as we enter the endemic phase of Covid-19."
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