Upgrading Virgin Islands’ Tourism Corridors: West End Ferry Terminal and Trellis Bay Welcome Centre
A tourism corridor is a “route that connects different destinations with significant tourist attractions, such as historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural events” (destinationcanada.com).
According to “Visitor flows, trajectories and corridors: Planning and designing places from the traveler’s point of view”, published in the ‘Annals of Tourism Research – Volume 82’, “corridors represent passages built from and pointing to specific objects (such as buildings or areas) and to actions (such as taking a picture, learning about a natural reserve, or buying a local handicraft)”.
The Trellis Bay corridor has already seen an upgrade, with the handover of the Trellis Bay Rest Stop on December 5, 2024. The West End corridor will benefit from much needed development – the West End Ferry Terminal, scheduled to be completed in 2026.
WEST END FERRY TERMINAL
What makes West End a corridor? It is an ideal connection for travelers to nearby Jost Van Dyke, or St. John and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. Its surrounding assets are the delight of swimmers, sailors and fishermen, its proximity to historical Belmont Estate, Smuggler’s Cove and the Amerindian settlement in Long Bay are ideal for history enthusiasts, and its pristine beautiful waters are a welcoming sight for any and every resident and visitor.
Before the hurricanes of 2017 damaged the previous ferry facilities, West End was the busiest port in the Virgin Islands. Prior to 2017, the port could boast of ‘welcoming’ over 40 percent of sea, and over 30 percent of all arrivals to the Territory.
The new 42,321 square foot facility will be twice the size of the previous facility and have the capacity to process 200 passengers per hour. The newly constructed wharf will berth two 120-foot ferries and one 75-foot ferry, as well as a jetty for six private yachts with a length of up to 40 feet. Additionally, the project includes the construction of a barge ramp, and installation of new revetments along the shoreline.
The facility, designed by Inros Lackner – a German planning, engineering and project management firm – will be built from sustainable materials and will incorporate technologies to offer greater efficiency for businesses and passengers.
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), with directives from the Government of the Virgin Islands, initiated plans to implement the new facility in 2021, and as of January 2025, the project has been fully designed, and the RDA has invited bids from prequalified contractors. We look forward to welcoming a facility in West End which matches the significance of that space to our tourism product, and stands as a testament to our recovery and development.
TRELLIS BAY REST STOP
What makes Trellis Bay a corridor? Trellis Bay, on Beef Island, is known for its full moon parties, culinary creations, arts and crafts, and haven for sailboats. It is also an area rich in maritime history, inspiring books and movies, including Robb White’s ‘My Virgin Island’ and Mabel Wagner’s ‘Lest I Forget’.
Trellis Bay is a hub heavily traversed by visitors and residents headed to Virgin Gorda, Guana Island, Scrub Island, Necker Island and other ‘sister islands’, as we refer to them in the VI. The Trellis Bay Rest Stop is designed to be a safe and comfortable access point to and from the sister islands.
The new facility, built by No Limit Construction – a local contractor who has completed several projects with the RDA – provides “rest” for up to 50 passengers, includes two restrooms, and is ADA-compliant [Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)].
In addition to serving as a rest stop for ferry passengers and other marine travelers, the facility is a direct response to a time-sensitive need and tourism marketing strategy. This was pointed out by the Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith, who said a greater emphasis is now being placed on event tourism during this tourism season. Hence, the Trellis Bay Rest Stop is positioned to cater to guests traveling to and from events on the outer islands.
For updates about the West End Ferry Terminal or the Trellis Bay Rest Stop, visit the RDA’s official website at www.bvirecovery.vg or send inquiries to info@bvirecovery.vg.
