-
by pltm
(PLTM) - A cruise ship from the Norwegian-based cruise line, Sea Dream Yacht Club, blessed the waters of the BVI this morning, November 30, as it docked at Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke.
The cruise ship carried some 62 passengers.
It is also set to stop in Anegada in the vicinity of the Anegada Reef Hotel tomorrow.
BVI Platinum News understands the Sea Dream is the second to arrive in the BVI, as another cruise ship from Crystal Cruises made a call in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda last week.
Marketing Manager at the BVI Tourist Board, Mr. Keith Dawson said the visits are a sign that the tourism sector is recovering well.
“It’s a validation of the work that has been put in to bring the BVI back on stream to welcome visitors, and now we are welcoming cruise visitors starting with small ships," he related to BVI Platinum News.
He added, "We are pleased to see the ships arriving on our sister islands as we have been trying to get those islands ready."
Earlier this month, Communications and Works Minister, Hon. Mark Vanterpool said the Territory would start accepting smaller ships for the rest of the year, and then larger ones in 2018.
The arrival of the cruise ships is good news for the tourism industry, which suffered over $3B in damage from Hurricane Irma.
Tourism, one of the BVI’s main economic pillars, contributes some 40 percent to the Territory’s Gross Domestic Product. The sector officially opened to visits at the start of November.
