MAPP ANNOUNCES MAJOR FOUR-STAR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT FOR ST. CROIX; DISNEY’S ‘DESTINATION EXPERIENCE’ ASSESSMENT TO BE REVEALED IN FEBRUARY

I'll believe that when I see Mapp wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

Just like he "met with Obama," right? 🙂

And was moving Guantanamo to the Hess site?

The group from Disney is allegedly offering their services at no charge. However, it seems realistic to assume that all their travel expenses, room and board and entertainment will be paid for by the government. No doubt Mr Mapp's minions will be scurrying around arranging first class travel, use of the limousine entourage and purchasing the appropriate multi-count sheets, dinnerware and Beluga caviar, etc in advance.

Aren't we still waiting for the Army Corp of Engineers to approve Williams and Punch? What about Golden Gaming's resort on the South Shore? Weren't these resorts in line ahead of Disney? I'm not holding my breath.

Disney.......the perfect partner for a Micky Mouse govenment

(tu)

Panem et Circenses

Panem et Circenses

oldest tactic in the book 😉

“On January 22, 2015 I met with Mr. Karl Holtz, President of New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line at Government House St. Thomas. During our meeting I learned that Karl had long and historic ties to St. Croix.

“Out of my pleasant surprise of Karl’s Crucian ties; I asked him for help. Mr. Holtz graciously agreed to help St. Croix by lending a team of Disney professionals to look closely at what the visitor experience is on the island and what if anything we could do as a community to improve this experience. In addition, the Disney team would help us with an assessment of St. Croix as a cruise destination.

“On November 15th, we hosted a team of four Disney professionals and executives. The team met with government, private merchants, along with taxi and tour operators. The team members immersed themselves as cruise passengers and were able to get a full experience as day visitors to the island. The team’s presence and work with the community went very well. On November 17th, I hosted a closeout meeting at government house with the team and business community. The Disney team has promised a comprehensive written report to us by mid-February.

as I read that... Disney will tell us if it's feasible, not if they will develop (though I suppose they could).

so yeah... what a weird article.

I don't see the advantage with putting STX in a canabilistic relationship with STT fighting for cruise ships

I really don't know much about the islands, but from my observations, wouldn't it be better to let STT do most of the cruise ships and let STX have the resorts? As busy as the Dominican is, why can't the VI's capitalize on the great weather, temps, water activities and put a focus on this. I've been to DR twice in the past 2 years and the resorts are packed. I know it's probably government mis-management, as we have here in NY. I live near Niagara Falls and the US side is a joke. They had greedy politicians, poor planning, the list goes on. You go over the bridge and Canada did it right, they are a destination when it comes to going to see the Falls, the American side is a consolation prize at best. Hope he does what he says, but that's more a wait and see.... and based on what I read, it will be a long wait.

I really don't know much about the islands, but from my observations, wouldn't it be better to let STT do most of the cruise ships and let STX have the resorts? As busy as the Dominican is, why can't the VI's capitalize on the great weather, temps, water activities and put a focus on this. I've been to DR twice in the past 2 years and the resorts are packed. I know it's probably government mis-management, as we have here in NY. I live near Niagara Falls and the US side is a joke. They had greedy politicians, poor planning, the list goes on. You go over the bridge and Canada did it right, they are a destination when it comes to going to see the Falls, the American side is a consolation prize at best. Hope he does what he says, but that's more a wait and see.... and based on what I read, it will be a long wait.

DR is 225x bigger land mass. Can't even compare the two. In comparison Alaska is only 51x the size of Rhode Island.

I wasn't thinking in the terms of 50 different resorts, but possibly 3-4 good sized resorts. This would help with the hotel tax, create 100's of jobs and get money back into the community.

We need a few new resorts on St. Croix, that's for sure.

I agree, it's a beautiful island and it's also easier for those from the states to go to. No passport needed, we can bring back more goods? Win-win for everyone.

We need a few new resorts on St. Croix, that's for sure.

the beauty of STX is that it's NOT STT...

STT reminds me of hawaii, it's a fast paced, impersonal & consumerism focused.

STX is laid back, (less consumerism options) slow paced & friendly.

I don't think a few resorts would change this, but I don't want to see a ROLEX store on prime waterfront property on STX... EVER.. so pretentious.

Little Switzerland used to be on STX.

We need a few new resorts on St. Croix, that's for sure.

the beauty of STX is that it's NOT STT...

STT reminds me of hawaii, it's a fast paced, impersonal & consumerism focused.

STX is laid back, (less consumerism options) slow paced & friendly.

I don't think a few resorts would change this, but I don't want to see a ROLEX store on prime waterfront property on STX... EVER.. so pretentious.

Hey, LF
STT is pretty darned beautiful as is STJ.
So stick to what you do know.

STT isn't impersonal at all.
It is quite easy to meet and get to know people.
People are very easy to talk with, about anything and get a good laugh too.

Had to go to inspection lane today and had conversations with 3 different people I'd never met before and discovered another source for good roadside pate's.

Yes, we have more tourists during the day during a very small season, which I see people on this board bemoaning the lack of ships coming into STX. But they're gone at the end of the day and our short season is over by May. It's quiet between May - Dec.
Remember, Resorts cater to those pretentious buyers on prime waterfront locations.

Be careful what you wish for.
Those big hotels are going to want to be on your prime waterfront locations and beautiful beaches, limiting your access, changing the landscape forever and impacting your ocean environments, wetlands and wildlife.

We can all wish each other well and the respective islands we live on. Everyone thinks their island that they live on it better than someone else's.

Since you've never lived here, you don't really know the island.
Where I live is very quiet.

Hey, LF
STT is pretty darned beautiful as is STJ.
So stick to what you do know.

Never been to STJ but I'm sure it's just like the other two, beautiful... why do you bring that up? I mentioned nothing about the ascetics of the place.

STT isn't impersonal at all...
Everyone thinks their island that they live on it better than someone else's.
Since you've never lived here, you don't really know the island.
Where I live is very quiet.

I don't live there, just work there from time to time; maybe like a frequent tourist that only comes out at night? haha

yes the islands are different, that's good, that's what I was trying to illustrate... never mentioned "better" in there.

Little Switzerland used to be on STX.

is there a "little switzerland" brand that's famously over priced and generally worn by people with more money than common-sense? I've never heard of it, google says it's a jewelry store.. those things are a dime a dozen on all three islands; it seems like every white affluent person with a boat I meet owns a jewelry store (maybe there's something to that...)

My point is, from a tourist perspective; that place STT squeezes 8 cruise ships into reminds me of an amusement park, not nature, not an island at an exotic location... it reminds me of a mall anywhere in the US. I'm VERY SURE this is a highly sought after thing for a lot of people; I do not prefer it.

... is there a "little switzerland" brand that's famously over priced and generally worn by people with more money than common-sense?
... My point is, from a tourist perspective; that place STT squeezes 8 cruise ships into reminds me of an amusement park, not nature, not an island at an exotic location... it reminds me of a mall anywhere in the US. I'm VERY SURE this is a highly sought after thing for a lot of people; I do not prefer it.

Here you go:

https://www.littleswitzerland.com/

The vision of/assumptions about STT you have are certainly not shared by either the majority of visitors who come here by air or the island's residents. As already noted by Alana, the cruise ship hubbub is confined to a very small portion of the island. Where I live, although only a 10 minute drive into town, is the essence of peace and quiet and nature ...

Are people clamoring for hotel rooms on St Croix? I get the feeling that a) Crucians don't want the extra visitors and b) visitors don't want to go to St Croix. It is like the cruise ships. They kept saying there wasn't enough of a "visitor experience" for them.

That ought to get everyone riled up.;)

I don't think a few resorts would change this, but I don't want to see a ROLEX store on prime waterfront property on STX... EVER.. so pretentious.

I disagree. I get the "keep STX primitive" movement by some transplants, but I cannot support it. Young people cannot find high paying jobs on STX. A Rolex or Cartier store would give young, educated locals an opportunity to learn sales techniques in a dynamic environment, and make great money on commissions.

If millenials are ever let into the decision-making ranks in the VI, I think that economic development will be paramount. For all its "pretentiousness," Main Street has created a middle class in STT that is largely independent of the government. STX would be wise to mimic STT's entrepreneurial model.

Are people clamoring for hotel rooms on St Croix? I get the feeling that a) Crucians don't want the extra visitors and b) visitors don't want to go to St Croix. It is like the cruise ships. They kept saying there wasn't enough of a "visitor experience" for them.

That ought to get everyone riled up.;)

It's the truth. STX also is not as naturally beautiful as STT and STJ. It can't compete in that regard. The land is generally flat, and most beaches leave much to be desired. As a Crucian, I'm just being honest 🙂

I don't think a few resorts would change this, but I don't want to see a ROLEX store on prime waterfront property on STX... EVER.. so pretentious.

I disagree. I get the "keep STX primitive" movement by some transplants, but I cannot support it. Young people cannot find high paying jobs on STX. A Rolex or Cartier store would give young, educated locals an opportunity to learn sales techniques in a dynamic environment, and make great money on commissions.

If millenials are ever let into the decision-making ranks in the VI, I think that economic development will be paramount. For all its "pretentiousness," Main Street has created a middle class in STT that is largely independent of the government. STX would be wise to mimic STT's entrepreneurial model.

I keep waiting for this millennial revolution?

I keep waiting for this millennial revolution?

It's coming. We've had a few minor setbacks, including Mapp eating a rather prominent millenial whole. The millenial, a former military officer, was denied a position she was eminently qualified for. Apparently, the person he selected campaigned for the Monarch.