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INSIDER

FCCA partners with the U.S. Virgin Islands on strategic development
agreement to boost impact of cruising

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise
Association (FCCA) and the U.S. Virgin
Islands are partnering on a strategic
development agreement for 2022 that will
focus on increasing the overall economic
impact from cruise tourism for the
destination.
Through the agreement, FCCA will
not only guide the U.S. Virgin Islands
government on enhancing their product
and increasing cruise calls, but also
will facilitate new experiences to offer
cruise companies and collaborate with
the local private sector to maximize any
opportunities.
The agreement will also put the U.S.
Virgin Islands in the spotlight for the new
and improved programs that FCCA has
developed with focuses on employment,
purchasing and converting cruise guests to
stay-over visitors.
As a top-down initiative directed
by the FCCA Executive Committee, Crown Bay cruise port, St. Thomas
which includes presidents and above of
FCCA Member Lines, the new strategic U.S. Virgin Islands has had with FCCA USVI: Caribbean success story
partnership will grant open access for the and the cruise industry,” said Micky The USVI is one of the biggest
U.S. Virgin Islands with these key decision Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival success stories for Caribbean tourism
makers and the Committee’s efforts to Corporation & plc. “The destination has in the wake of COVID-19. The islands
effectuate the agreement’s objectives and supported cruising through the best and experienced a banner year for stay-over
the destination’s goals. worst of times, and I am proud that this tourism in 2021 and broke numerous
Some of the other features of the agreement will make it possible to better records. It is now turning attention to
strategic partnership will include promoting the lives and livelihoods of so many people their cruise tourism, which generated
summer cruising, engaging travel agents, there.” $184.7 million in total cruise tourism
creating consumer demand and developing “We are grateful for the U.S. Virgin expenditures, in addition to $77.9 million
a destination service needs assessment Islands’ support through the pandemic, in total employee wage income, during the
that will detail strengths, opportunities and with this landmark agreement being 2017/2018 cruise year, according to the
needs. more proof of their dedication to cruise Business Research & Economic Advisors
tourism, and we cannot be more excited report “Economic Contribution of Cruise
Long-term partnership to reciprocate the faith they have shown Tourism to the Destination Economies.”
“This agreement is a further testament in us and the industry by maximizing their Created in 1972, the FCCA is a
to the continued partnership that the benefits from the sector,” added FCCA not-for-profit trade organization that
President Michele Paige. provides a forum for discussion on tourism
“Through this agreement, the U.S. development, ports, safety, security, and
Virgin Islands will have FCCA’s full other cruise industry issues and builds
commitment to fulfilling the destination’s bilateral relationships with destinations’
initiatives, including assisting the private private and public sectors. It represents
sector and helping all locals prosper from the mutual interests of destinations and
the economic impact that the industry stakeholders throughout the Caribbean,
brings.” Central and South America, and Mexico,
along with Member Lines that operate over
90 percent of the global cruising capacity.

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