Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park Marks
The Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park celebrated its 10th anniversary this week, bringing together government officials, tenants, staff and community partners to mark a decade of investment, jobs and cultural visibility at the Territory’s primary cruise gateway. At the anniversary ceremony officials reflected on the park’s origins and growth, noted a record 875,000 cruise passengers in 2025, and outlined plans to pursue sustainability measures — including exploring an environmental levy and integrating green technologies — to protect the islands that tourism depends on (BVI Government).
Romney Tortola Pier Park (CBRTPP) marked its 10th anniversary this week with a waterfront ceremony that drew government officials, tenants, staff and community partners to celebrate a decade of growth, opportunity and Virgin Islands pride, the Government said in a press release. Speakers traced the facility’s evolution from the Territory’s first cruise pier in 1994, built under the late Chief Minister Honourable H.
Lavity Stoutt, through upgrades under the late Chief Minister and Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, to the modernised facility officially opened in 2016 by then-Premier Dr. Orlando Smith and the Ministry led by Honourable Mark Vanterpool. The pier was renamed in 2019 to honour the late Honourable Cyril B.
Romney, recognised as a pioneer of cruise tourism in the Virgin Islands (BVI Government). Operated by the BVI Ports Authority, the five-acre Pier Park has become the Territory’s main gateway for cruise passengers and a showcase for local entrepreneurship. The site features eleven buildings, eighteen kiosks, dozens of shops and restaurants, and walkways laid by hand with 107,000 bricks — visible signs of local craftsmanship and commerce, officials noted.
The park handled a record 875,000 cruise passengers in 2025, nearly a 14% increase on the previous year, and can accommodate ships up to 180,000 gross registered tonnes (GRT), hosting up to two cruise ships at a time, according to figures released by the Government. Beyond passenger numbers, the park supports hundreds of livelihoods, from taxi operators and tour guides to retail and hospitality workers.
At the ceremony Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer reflected on that history and used the milestone to outline plans for the Pier Park’s next chapter, with an emphasis on sustainability, modernisation and resilience. Rymer announced the Government is exploring an environmental levy for cruise passengers — a measure he described as common elsewhere in the Caribbean — with proceeds dedicated to conservation and protecting the natural attractions that draw visitors (BVI Government).
Rymer also said plans are in motion to integrate green technologies and enhance operational efficiency across the park to build resilience against environmental and climate-related challenges. "We must ensure that the revenues generated from our tourism sector help protect the very environment that draws visitors here," he said in remarks published by the Government.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley praised the Pier Park as a launchpad for entrepreneurship and job creation. "Many of the businesses that open here, as hopeful startups, are now thriving enterprises," he said, urging continued investment in attractions and services across the Virgin Islands so every visitor experience "feels like a million bucks" (BVI Government).
Anniversary activities included a commemorative video, strategic partner recognition, ten-year staff and pioneer tenant recognitions, an outstanding tenant award, and a steel pan performance by Cedar School International. The Government has made the full ceremony available to view on its BVIGovernment Facebook page.
Information Officer Paul Bridgewater is listed as the contact on the Government release. As the Pier Park enters its second decade, officials framed the milestone as both a celebration of what has been achieved and a call to build sustainably — preserving the islands’ natural beauty while expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs and workers (BVI Government).
Primary source: BVI Government