Business

Record Numbers? 1.75 Million Cruise Ship Visitors To Touch Down In VI During Winter Season

Update: Governor Mapp said Tuesday morning he misspoke when he said Friday that 140 cruise ships would visit St. Croix this Winter season. Only 34 ships will be headed to St. Croix this Winter season. Original Story: The Virgin Islands is on a rebound in a number of industries following the 2017 hurricanes, in some instances much greater than even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the territory in September 2017. In the construction industry, work opportunities have spiked, with residents rebuilding homes and the Limetree Bay Oil Refining plant, along with the oil storage terminal on St. Croix, playing a major role in the construction boom. Also on the rise is the cruise ship sector of the tourism industry. According to Governor Kenneth Mapp, citing recently published cruise ship visitor schedules, the territory is expected to see 1.75 million tourists through the Winter season. "We have not been at this level of visitation save 10 years ago," Mr. Mapp said during a Friday press ...