Photo: The charter yacht industry currently contributes $90-million-plus to the USVI’s marine tourism sector. Credit: Mango Media. Call to Action: Town Hall Meeting – Tuesday, February 18, 5:30 p.m. – Harbor360 Building @ Yacht Haven Grande The BVI’s proposed threat has galvanized a group of USVI marine tourism stakeholders into action to meet and formally oppose the bill’s passage. The group, which comprises local day and term charter operators and representatives from the marine and tourism industries, calls for support from Governor Bryan and his cabinet to help address these concerns. A Town Hall Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the Harbor 360 Building at Yacht Haven Grande on St. Thomas. The group plans to discuss these points at the meeting and seek recommendations from the community for a resolution that will align with both countries’ tourism and economic goals. Without viable solutions, charter operators are left with limited options: shutting down, relocating operations to the BVI, or passing on additional costs to guests—ultimately making USVI charters less competitive. In every scenario, the result is the same: USVI tourism loses market share to the BVI, threatening the sustainability of the local charter industry and the businesses that depend on it. “The USVI’s ability to remain a premier charter destination is at stake, and industry leaders urge policymakers to address these challenges before lasting damage is done,” says Staci Smith, Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA). “The wider ramifications will be felt in all the supporting industries. Everyone from the grocery stores, hotels, fuel, and marine service suppliers to the smaller retail stores, laundromats, florist shops, and indeed the taxi services will all be impacted. Not to mention the potential loss of revenue for the government of the USVI.” Smith adds, “We plan to seek a solution that will allow businesses to operate fairly throughout the USVI and the BVI. We want logical reform and a better regional working partnership.” For more information, contact Staci Smith at [email protected], or call/text (340) 642-0656. About VIPCA VIPCA is a non-profit marine association dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the charter yacht sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands marine industry. Its initiatives include offering membership benefits, promoting marine tourism, liaising with USVI, BVI, and PR to assist in cooperative efforts; seeking relevant official rulings from Customs and Border Protection (CBP); developing USVI marine infrastructure, including installation of vessel moorings now available at BoatyBall.com; and providing marine vocational training for USVI youth. VIPCA hosts two annual yacht shows, the USVI Charter Yacht Show at www.usviyachtshow.org and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo at www.vibe.vi. www.VIPCA.org Press Contact: Carol Bareuther Press, VIPCA Tel: 340-998-3650 Email: [email protected] -##- | 
