Cinnamon Bay Campground is closed and quiet in early October as the operator CBI Acquisitions, the owner of Caneel Bay Resort, plans for a new season.
CINNAMON BAY — Hoped-for negotiations for the contracts for the operation of the Trunk Bay concessions and the Cinnamon Bay Campground have yet to transpire, but the current concessionaire is preparing for still another season without an operating contract for the future of the concession properties.
When CBI Acquisitions acquired the Caneel Bay Resort properties, the real estate investment company inherited the moribund negotiations for the resort’s concession arrangements with the V.I. National Park for the two other North Shore properties historically connected with Caneel Bay management.
V.I. National Park Superintendent Brion FitzGerald said in late 2013 that the NPS hoped to open negotiations with potential operators of the two franchises in mid-2014 and to complete negotiations quickly, but the process has not gotten underway. VINP officials were not available for comment.
“We are constantly communicating with the VINP, but nothing recently regarding the concessions,” said Patrick Kidd, a spokesperson for CBI.
Sought-After Concessions
Several players in the island’s tourism industry expressed interest in competing for the operating contracts for the Cinnamon Bay Campground and for the concessions at the world-renowned Trunk Bay, an increasingly popular cruise ship tour destination.
CBI is relying on the historic connection between Caneel Bay and the neighboring concessions to give the real estate company a strong argument for renewing the original concession, which has been expired for some time.
How does CBI prepare for a new season without any assured future?
“When it comes to Cinnamon Bay Campground (CBC) remember this is not new for us,” Kidd said. “We have been operating CBC on a year-to-year basis for quite some time and will continue do so until an agreement is reached – that new agreement will be with CBI or another entity will be selected.”
“CBI manages Cinnamon Bay and the Trunk Bay concession using some of functions of Caneel Bay Resort and will continue to maintain the campground and its environment for the benefit of visitors and residents alike in the meantime,” the spokesperson added. “All our facilities meet the required standards to operate the campground.”
Investing for Long-Term Concession
“You know well the effects our Caribbean climate has on property, so yes, as ethical business operators, we are constantly investing money into Cinnamon Bay Camps,” the spokesperson added.
“Our hope is that a long-term concession will be awarded to CBI and if that were to happen, our investment plan moving forward would certainly look very different,” Kidd said without elaboration.
“It’s too premature to share with you any specific plans for CBC, however we would certainly have a very different investment approach if we did indeed retain the concession,” the CBI spokesperson added. “We hope that possibility happens soon.”
Cinnamon and Trunk Concessions?
“Nothing has changed as far as I am aware,” the spokesperson said. “We have not been given a schedule from the VINP for when these negotiations will commence.”
It was “too early to speculate” on the concession process, Kidd stated, including:
– Would a rebuild or renovation of the Cinnamon Bay facility include any increase in the size of or other upgrading of the shoreline cottage units?
– Could the tent units at Cinnamon become more of a Concordia Resort-style eco-tent?
– Could more bare camping sites be converted to fixed tents?
“While it is premature to speculate on what may occur with our negotiation, we would go on record as saying that CBI Acquisitions, LLC is committed to retaining the management of Cinnamon Bay Campground and the Trunk Bay Concession,” the spokesperson said.
“These are two of the most outstandingly beautiful locations on St. John and within the U.S. Virgin Islands and it is a testament to the vision of the founding of the National Park, that a provision was made with the creation of the Cinnamon Bay Campground for people who may not want to stay in a resort, to enjoy everything the VINP has to offer,” Kidd added. “It’s absolutely a lifestyle choice to stay at Cinnamon Bay and what better way to escape the pace of the 21st century than to sleep under canvas.”
“Marketing Cinnamon Bay Campground is a natural complement to marketing Caneel Bay Resort and this is certainly one of the many beneficial synergies to CBI’s management of both concerns,” Kidd concluded.
