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March 19, 2008

DEJONGH CREATES "CRUISE SHIP WORKING GROUP"

In keeping with his commitment to strengthening relations with the cruise lines by maintaining continuous dialogue and interaction on issues of mutual concern, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. Wednesday announced the creation of the Cruise Ship Working Group. DeJongh believes that achieving the goal of remaining competitive as a cruise ship destination, requires the development and execution of a strategy through a partnership of private and public sector members. 

DeJongh named Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty and Matthew T. Sams, Chairman of the Operations Committee of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, as co-chairs of the Working Group. "I see the group coming together at least four times per year to review and provide suggestions on issues of strategic interest to the industry."

Other members of the Working Group include:

  • Senator James Weber, III, Chairman, Committee on Economic Development, 27th Legislature
  • Members of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Operations Committee: Stephen Nielsen (Princess Cruises); Michael Ronan (Royal Caribbean International); Svein Sleipnes (Norwegian Cruises); Michele Paige, Executive Director, FCCA
  • Edward E. Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer, The West Indian Company, Ltd.
  • Kenn Hobson, Interim Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority
  • Michael Dembeck, Executive Director, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce
  • Sebastiano Paiewonsky, Board Member, St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce
  • Julian Henley, General Manager, Bernard K. Passman Gallery
  • Paul Simmonds, President, Our Town Frederiksted, Inc.
  • Pamela B. Berkowsky, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
  • Raymond Williams, Chief of Staff, Office of the Lieutenant Governor

DeJongh said he specifically included representatives of the cruise lines and the FCCA on the Working Group "for them to tell us what we will have do to get St. Croix back on the map and commit to a consistent level of cruise ship calls. We don’t want to have cruise ship calls only at night, our desire is for cruise ship calls during the day when there is business activity on St. Croix and when our local entrepreneurs can have the opportunity to make money." 

DeJongh’s announcement of the formation of the Cruise Ship Working Group comes days after the Virgin Islands experienced a successful presence at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Florida. This year, the Virgin Islands doubled its presence dedicating a second both to promote St. Croix specifically.

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