Governor Kenneth E. Mapp held a public town hall meeting July 20, to focus on opportunities to reverse the downward trend in cruise traffic and guest satisfaction in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), according to South Florida Caribbean News.
Experts say traffic congestion and limited water transportation are two of the major complaints from visitors to Charlotte Amalie.
Proposals are being evaluated for a ferry between cruise ships and downtown Charlotte Amalie and Water Island. Public Works Commissioner Gustav James reported that the harbor transportation services should be operational by year’s end, according to a statement.
A task force is in place made up of representatives from the private sector, such as retail stores, transportation companies and restaurants and representatives from government such as the Virgin Island Port Authority, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Public works, and others.
A similar task force is being developed for the island of St. Croix and will launch in the fall.