A meeting between legislators and cruise ship officials Tuesday on the proposed $2.50 head tax on cruise ship passengers netted no immediate agreements or conclusions.
Sen. Roosevelt David, who has drafted legislation to implement the tax, said that the meeting was frank — meaning cruise ship officials "don't support any increases, period" — but that it went well.
David said no matter what the cruise officials decide, he will go forward with his initiative. He said he has a solid block of support from legislators backing the tax.
He was also undaunted by what he called the "suspicious" cancellation of 14 calls by cruise ships in recent weeks.
"I believe it is a strong-arm tactic," he said. "But people determine where they want to go, not the cruise ships. They admitted we are the No. 1 destination."
Sen. David Jones told Radio One that other issues were discussed at the meeting too, including buying supplies and services in the Virgin Islands.
Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, who organized the meeting, said the group agreed to meet again in a couple of weeks, after cruise industry officials meet at the end of the month. Donastorg said the meeting was positive.
Donastorg believes that any additional head tax should go toward the infrastructure and improving the environment for the benefit of the cruise ships and their passengers.
The territory already collects $7.50 per passenger but those fees go to the West Indian Co. Ltd. and the v.I. Port Authority.
Other islands already have higher per-passenger taxes than the Virgin Islands, according to Wednesday's Independent. St. Kitts, for example, charges a $6 head tax plus a $16.50 departure tax.
