Mr Mapp and China

You mean the spaghetti they try to pass off as lo mein here won't entice Chinese visitors. Noodles. The key to the USVIs future success is noodles. Lol

The items that can attract Chinese to STT is luxury shopping. Developing nations especially in Asia love to indulge in brand name goods. These brands cost 50% less in STT.

You mean the spaghetti they try to pass off... Lol

Please do not blaspheme against the Church of the FSM. May his noodly appendages be of great comfort to all.

And yes, this has about as much relevance as the possibility of a mass influx of robe and slipper wearing Chinese tourists shopping at Purple Papaya. Oh the foresight of the great Gov once again exceeds my capacity for sarcasm.

The items that can attract Chinese to STT is luxury shopping. Developing nations especially in Asia love to indulge in brand name goods. These brands cost 50% less in STT.

The days of luxury shopping attracting the majority of our visitors is long gone. Where stores even as recently as 20 years ago thrived on selling luxury items, the decline has been rapid, the "luxury stores" have left and those few remaining have totally revamped their stock to feature affordable items. Nor do luxury goods sell for "50% less in STT". Visitors years back could expect those sorts of savings but they're few and far between nowadays. Most visitors looking for "bargains" on luxury items now do their research and find that the savings here are nowhere near as significant as they used to be.

A mere comparative handful of Chinese/Asian visitors doesn't a massive economy-booster make.

OT,
Asian prices for these LV, DG and Gucci stuff are about 50% more in China than here. Prices here are not a bargain for US mainlanders. They just save on sales tax.

I agree that this will not save the economy here but could get Asians attracted.

I agree that this will not save the economy here but could get Asians attracted.

And again, the figures and the investment in accommodations just don't add up. It's not that we don't have Asian visitors (to STT anyway) - have had for years - but they're a miniscule proportion annually. In terms of Mr Mapp's grandiose vision it has, as IslandHops said, "about as much relevance as the possibility of a mass influx of robe and slipper wearing Chinese tourists shopping at Purple Papaya."

STT used to have lovely clothing stores back in the 70's and 80's.
Places like Cocoo's Nest and Lion in the Sun. Last time I went looking for nice clothing stores in town, I scoured one end to the other without finding a single store that was even lose to being comparable. I know there a one or 2 at Yacht Haven Grande these days but one used to have more options than junk t shirt and Chinese made knick knack products the majority of downtown stores sell, except for the high end jewelry and Gucci stores.

Mapp is all about smoke and mirrors.
If you want to attract visitors and business, fix the damned infrastructure, CLEAN UP the trash on our roads, fix the damned roads and make WAPA reliable and affordable.

Super tankers,...did the article actual mention bringing super tankers to St. Croix???

Super tankers,...did the article actual mention bringing super tankers to St. Croix???

Yes.
http://viconsortium.com/business/st-croix-not-ready-for-amount-of-jobs-sinopec-will-bring-oil-refining-at-limetree-bay-a-great-possibility-mapp-says/

But it seems that any forward move will require "many more trips to China" by Mr Mapp and his enourage in order to "nurture" the relationship.

Super tankers,...did the article actual mention bringing super tankers to St. Croix???

Yes.
http://viconsortium.com/business/st-croix-not-ready-for-amount-of-jobs-sinopec-will-bring-oil-refining-at-limetree-bay-a-great-possibility-mapp-says/

But it seems that any forward move will require "many more trips to China" by Mr Mapp and his enourage in order to "nurture" the relationship.

PMVs for Mapp???

We'd all happily pitch in for a one-way ticket...

One way coach! *-)

And some nice slippers and a robe... Soon come on the Govt credit card.

Btw, the existing runways can't accommodate the aircraft to bring any of these tourists non stop from China or even Europe. Also, given the fact that US is not friendly to Asian visitors due to visa requirements any tourism from Asia to see USVI is a questionable prospects. For beach escapades Hawaii, Bali, Maldives or Sechilles are much better options for wealthy Asians.

For beach escapades Hawaii, Bali, Maldives or Sechilles are much better options for wealthy Asians.

My thoughts exactly. Why fly half way around the world when there is so much better so much closer?

For beach escapades Hawaii, Bali, Maldives or Sechilles are much better options for wealthy Asians.

My thoughts exactly. Why fly half way around the world when there is so much better so much closer?

The noodles and slippers here are going to be the BOMB

Mr Mapp can't even give a straight answer on the start of the Joseph stadium work - only now 8 months overdue from the promised start of renovations. Of course it's all someone else's fault and really isn't "delayed" at all. Blah blah, waffle waffle.
http://viconsortium.com/business/mapp-says-paul-e-joseph-stadium-not-delayed-but-he-struggles-to-give-restart-timeline/

The sad thing is they tore up the old stadium on STX without a plan in place, and that was where all the VI mens league soccer matches were played. It wasn't much but it was at least a place to play. Now it's an eyesore and wasteland.

The sad thing is they tore up the old stadium on STX without a plan in place, and that was where all the VI mens league soccer matches were played. It wasn't much but it was at least a place to play. Now it's an eyesore and wasteland.

I totally agree with IslandHops. There was nothing wrong with the existing structure and it served the purpose for which it was built. The past Governor DeJongh had some sort of "B.S." about a new facitility, had it torn down and as it became known later Gov DeJongh was dealing with some "shady characters" on buidling the new sports complex. Now here comes Governor Mapp fresh from his boondoggle China trip and he's spewing out nothing but a bunch of hot air with unsubstantiated or documented facts.