Government House, Tourism Department and Royal Caribbean scheduled fifth community business forum on St. Croix

Government House said on August 30, 2022, that it, the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line would hold the fifth USVI Community Business Forum on September 8, 2022, at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall on St. Croix.

The forum was scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and was also to be livestreamed on Government House’s Facebook page.

According to the announcement, the forum was intended to help the business community prepare for an increase in cruise traffic to St. Croix during the 2022-23 tourist season. Government House said Royal Caribbean had announced in April 2022 plans to increase port calls to St. Croix, with passenger volume rising to 140,000 from about 50,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announced theme was "Reshaping the Guest Experience." Topics were to include business opportunities, customer service, tourism infrastructure and development of a hospitality workforce.

Listed speakers were Crystal Campbell of Royal Caribbean; Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte; Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White; ADA Coordinator Julien Henley; St. Croix Chamber of Commerce President Akeel St. Jean; University of the Virgin Islands School of Business Dean Kendra Harris; and USVI Hotel and Tourism Association President Lisa Hamilton.

Government House said four virtual sessions had been held since the forum series began in 2020.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/office-of-the-governor-tourism-royal-caribbean-hosting-fifth-community-business-forum-ahead-of-tourist-season/