Florida-Caribbean
Cruise Association (FCCA) has announced its renewed strategic development
agreement with the British Virgin Islands.
The tailored ‘Presidential Partner’ agreement builds on the
partnership formed in 2023 – and aims to further capitalize on record years for
both the destination and cruise industry.
“This renewed agreement shows the momentum that FCCA and
destinations are having in working together to maximize cruise tourism’s
benefits,” said Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation &
plc. “The British Virgin Islands has been a long-standing partner of the
industry, and I am thrilled that this agreement signifies the improvement of so
many lives and livelihoods.”
According to the Business Research & Economic Advisors
report Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies,
the British Virgin Islands renewed the agreement to further grow its economic
benefits from cruise tourism, generating $85.7 million in direct
expenditures and 1,666 jobs paying $18.3 million during the 2023/2024 cruise
year.
Both the British Virgin Islands and FCCA are looking to
further capitalize on recent records, including the 34.7 million cruise
passengers projected to sail in 2024, as well as the destination’s tourist
arrivals surging to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8 percent increase compared 2023 –
and reflecting growth across all visitor categories, with 768,293 Cruise Ship
Visitors, a 6.8 percent increase; 305,876 Overnight Visitors, a 16.7 percent
increase; and 17,970 Day Trippers, representing a 35.1 percent increase.
Through the agreement, FCCA will continue to guide the
British Virgin Islands government on enhancing their product and increasing
cruise calls but also facilitate new experiences to cruise companies and
collaborate with the local private sector to maximize opportunities.
Additionally, the agreement utilizes FCCA’s cruise executive
committees, including sub-committees focused on employment and purchasing, for meetings
and site visits focused on the British Virgin Islands’ objectives.
The BVI has open access to the FCCA Executive Committee,
comprised of presidents and above of FCCA Member Lines, along with efforts to
effectuate the agreement’s objectives and destination’s goals.
Other partnership features include a focus on converting
cruise guests to stay-over visitors, promoting summer cruising, engaging travel
agents, creating consumer demand and developing a destination service needs
assessment to detail strengths, opportunities and needs.
“We are proud of our past work with the British Virgin
Islands and honored that they have again put their faith in us and the cruise
industry,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Through this agreement, FCCA remains
fully committed to fulfilling individualized initiatives, which focus on
assisting the private sector, improving employment, fostering cruise lines’
purchase of local goods and more that will help locals prosper from the
economic impact that the industry brings.”
Akeem Pickering, Managing Director, BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) said in a statement, "The BVIPA is delighted to continue partnering with FCCA on
our Strategic Development as it has consistently proven to be a significant
contributor to our continued cruise growth and success."
He added, “The growth and success of this
partnership agreement are not only of benefit to BVIPA but extends to many
families in our beautiful country. While our physical size is small of that in
nature, our aim is to strive to be a giant presence in the Caribbean cruise
market. We look forward to continued upward trajectory with this partnership as
we serve the people of the BVI.”
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