StJ Source reviews National Geographic Article rating island

[Gromit]

I thought this was a good article (see link below).

Obviously the STT folks are not happy with the STT's ranking but it looks as if STJ fared well. While the truth is a hard pill to swallow, I think it's important that they take a hard look at what KIND of tourism they want to promote. Personally. I think National geographic Traveller is "dead on balls accurate."

I have long disliked the concept of Cruise ship vacations (the McDonalds of the vacation industry) and this really highlights how damaging this type of tourism can be.

Don't get me wrong, I respect people's right to choose how they travel and not all cruise vacations are alike, but it would be nice for an island to "Just Say No" to this kind of tourism or put limits in place so that these islands are not overrun.

I know these folks have to make a buck, but at what cost?

http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i ... 1201843711

[jac w]

I agree with you 100%, Gromit. In fact before I got married I stupidly thought STJ was just like STT and had no interest in going there. Obviously I've learned the error of my ways. The thought of cruise ships in STJ gives me chills.

[sapphirecat]

Hi jac,

Fortunately, they can't dock cruise ships at STJ.

Some days in STT I wonder how the island doesn't sink under the weight of all the tourists!

We check the cruise ship schedules closely and schedule dives for the heaviest days. If you want nature, you can't beat a dive

Cat

[Lulu76]

I saw this posted elsewhere, and I've been biting my tongue about it rather than incur the wrath of the STT lovers. I read the National Geographic article last week, and I've been trying to sit back and watch what people are saying today, but when I read it last week I too, actually used the phrase "dead-on balls accurate."

I am not a big fan of the few hours I must spend on STT to get back and forth to STJ. I don't want to buy jewelry; I don't need a cab back to the ship. I don't like that kind of tourism.

I pray to God every night when I go to bed that STJ is never like it.

[rpplano]

I thought their descriptions of all of the islands I've visited were on the mark.

[Sandwitch]

Lulu, maybe it would be less painful for you to fly SJU to Tortola & ferry to St. John. Don't forget, you add to the congestion on STT as well.

[Xislandgirl]

STT is overrun w/ cruise ships but there are some beautiful areas of the island that I think the researches may have overlooked. As STJ addicts we are spolied. For whatever individual reasons we have, we prefer the "vibe" of STJ.
There are countless people all over the world that love STT and while it may not be our cup of tea, it is the perfect spot for others.

I have to disagree with cruise vacations being the McDonalds of the vacation industry. We have cruised twice and thoroughly enjoyed our trips. It is not for everyone and not the vacation that I would want to do very year, but it was not anything like I had expected. I never felt like "cattle" as I was told I would and had some of the most delicous food. Perhaps it was the cruise line we chose.
We visited islands that did not rank very high in the article; Roatan, Hondurus for example, that we never would have thought to visit. It is 3rd world and very poor. We booked a private tour and our guide picked us up in his very well worn Chevy Cavalier. We had an incredible day and found the island to be overly friendly and incredible beautiful. We have it on our list to visit for a week in the future.

Many people discovered STJ by taking a cruise ship excursion and if STT was not developed, getting to STJ would be much worse.

No matter our personal opinions abut the article and the islands in it, it is interesting and we should all remember that there are many people that find STJ to be boring and too quiet. ( I am happy that there are people like this, it just makes a quiet day at Gibeny even quieter)

[RonUSVI]

In the 50s and 60s St Thomas was the bomb. No one knew about St John or the BVIs. The strains of trying to keep up with what, you, the tourist want, caused the influx of cruise ships and the like. With that comes the chain stores and of course, fast foods. You think St John is great now? Imagine what it was like when I was a kid and it was undiscovered. It is now peppered with those villas you all love so dearly which is not so attractive at all. Some of you are even looking for new places to destroy, as St John is getting to be too much for you. Imagine how long that place you discover will take to become destroyed, and you will then move on to another. I think it has totally destroyed St John. Please don't bad talk St Thomas. We know that it is looked at by other islands as what not to do. We are trying to work on bringing it back,m in spite of the cruise ships. Once again I will say, tourism is our best asset and our worst enemy. By the way, we do love tourists. Just trying to get a happy medium!

[sapphirecat]

So, we should just mail a check and get lost?

[Dave-a-roni]

Ha... I just found out about this went on here to post it, but Gromit already did. Ok, well I'm a little too slow

[Xislandgirl]

So, we should just mail a check and get lost?

I don't think that is what he is saying at all. Ronnie is a native Virgin Islander and has seen all of the changes over the past 40 (or so) years. STT looked nothing like it does now and STJ still had dirt roads. There were no multi million dollar villas, no Westin, no condos, etc. The island is changing at a really fast pace. When I moved to the island after Marilyn, it was a completely different place. I know the changes that have taken place in the 12 years since I stepped off the ferry, and I am sure there are many on this board that have seen them as well. STJ is fortunate to have the National Park, I can not imagine what the island would look like with out it. But there are so many mega-villas being built right on top of each other by people with more money than they know what to do with. 12 years ago there were a handful of villas in Coral Bay, as a former rental manager, I can tell you that it was rare to find anyone that wanted to stay "out there". A lot has changed.

I think that Ronnie (forgive me while I make an assumption) is trying to say, be careful what you wish for. STT did what they thought was right in order to get tourists to want to come and visit the island and maybe it went too far, but it is still a beautiful island in the Caribbean with great people and tropical beaches. There is so much more to the island than what people see on a tour or on their way to the ferry.

Tourism in any town, city, state, country, or island is a double edged sword, the more you work on getting people to visit, the more you risk destroying the reason they wanted to come in the first place.

Just my .02 cents.

[RickG]

(posted from Island Blues)

I just picked up on this and haven't read the original article. Faroe Islands? Definitely one of my top 10 herring destinations. Beaches? It's warmer in Maine. Dominica? Sure, for diving, but it reminds me of a less fertile St. Vincents.

Come on, this is not an indictment of St. Thomas, but the result of a very specific prioritization and ranking exercise that focuses on how little things are likely to change. Face it, tourism has an impact. This is just about an inverse raw popularity score.

And, the herring is better on Gotland than on the Faroes. I like mine with a pinch of salt.

Cheers, RickG

[Xislandgirl]

(posted from Island Blues)

Cheers, RickG

Nice way to rub it in, Rick. We are expecting the outer bands of Noel this afternoon and I have been painting trim since 9am. No matter what score the island may get, I can guarantee you that little ole' Granby, CT would be the last on the list and I would rather be at Island Blues with you on one side, Sweet Christine on the other,and a tall dark and diet in front of me!

[sapphirecat]

So, we should just mail a check and get lost?

I don't think that is what he is saying at all.

Hi,Xislandgirl,

I'm not sure how else to take this line:

"Some of you are even looking for new places to destroy"


That's pretty strong stuff, don't you think?

cat

[Xislandgirl]

I agree that it is a bit harsh but I personally know Ronnie and I truly don't believe that he meant this as a stab at anyone directly. Perhaps I am wrong and he hates us all

I know that he is passionate about his home and perhaps he was reacting to the STT bashing that sometimes happens.

He really is a great guy.