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April Membership News Brief
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Please note that the USVI HTA office will be closed from Monday, December 22nd to Friday, December 26th for the Holiday Season. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 29th.

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to all!!!

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UNVEILS 2009 GROUP INCENTIVE PROGRAM

~ Program Designed to Increase Group Sales and Boost Local Businesses ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, December 10, 2008 – In efforts to boost group business to the U. S. Virgin Islands next year and stimulate demand for local recreational services, the Department of Tourism is launching a Group Rewards Program for meeting planners beginning December 15.

Meeting planners who book a block of 20 or more rooms for a minimum of four nights between December 15, 2008 and April 30, 2009 for group travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands between January 1 and December 31, 2009 will be entitled to a $50 credit for each member of their group, with up to $100 per room booking. The credit is designed to support an array of on-island businesses including restaurants, taxi services, leisure activities and attractions throughout St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.

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Employee Newsletter, August 2008 (PDF file - 4.4 MBs - will download in your web browser).

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS ANNOUNCES INCREASED AIRLIFT VIA US AIRWAYS

~ Return of non-stop service represents year-over-year growth in air capacity for winter ~

St. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, October 30, 2008 – The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announces the return of non-stop flight service to St. Thomas via US Airways from two of the destination’s key mainland markets – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Charlotte, North Carolina – representing an overall increase in air service to St. Thomas this winter season compared to the same period last year.

Led by the Department of Tourism and Virgin Islands Port Authority, the public/private sector committee formed by Governor John de Jongh has worked closely over the past six months to meet with existing and potential airline carriers and strategize joint initiatives to address announced service reductions across the airline industry. In June 2008, planned flight reductions represented a 31 percent decrease in air capacity for the Territory. St. Thomas will now see a 3 percent year-over-year increase in air capacity. Efforts to restore service to St. Croix have been similarly successful, with all but 9 percent of proposed reductions restored.

“In these daunting economic times, the return of service from US Airways illustrates the continued strong demand for airlift to the USVI,” noted Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “Thanks to this show of support from US Airways and the continued support of our existing airline partners, air capacity to St. Thomas has increased more than 3 percent, by 571 seats, since May.”

The announcement of additional non-stop daily and weekly service from Philadelphia and Charlotte this winter adds to the existing air capacity to the Territory from these key markets, and complements an already comprehensive roster of North American gateway markets offering convenient same-day airlift to the USVI. Round-trip, same-day service is also available to St. Thomas from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, San Juan and Washington, D.C.; and to St. Croix from Atlanta, Miami and San Juan.

From December 18, 2008, through January 3, 2009, US Airways will offer an additional non-stop daily flight to St. Thomas from Philadelphia and another from Charlotte, North Carolina as well as an additional weekly non-stop flight to the island from both cities.

SERVICE FROM PHILADELPHIA

· Additional daily service from Philadelphia International Airport:

o The departing flight (US Airways #1012) leaves Philadelphia each day at 10:00 a.m., and arrives in St. Thomas at 2:45 p.m.

o The return flight (US Airways #1018) departs St. Thomas everyday at 4:00 p.m., and arrives in Philadelphia at 7:07 p.m.

· Additional weekly (Saturdays only) service from Philadelphia International Airport:

o The departing flight (US Airways #1232) leaves Philadelphia at 7:35 a.m., and arrives in St. Thomas at 12:27 p.m.

o The return flight (US Airways #1283) departs St. Thomas at 1:30 p.m., and arrives in Philadelphia at 4:34 p.m.

SERVICE FROM CHARLOTTE

· Additional daily service from Douglas International Airport:

o The departing flight (US Airways #1040) leaves Charlotte everyday at 11:40 a.m., and arrives in St. Thomas at 4:11 p.m.

o The return flight (US Airways #1041) departs St. Thomas each day at 5:30 p.m., and arrives in Charlotte at 8:17 p.m.

· Additional weekly (Saturdays only) service from Douglas International Airport:

o The departing flight (US Airways #1187) leaves Charlotte at 9:45 a.m., and arrives in St. Thomas at 2:13 p.m.

o The return flight (US Airways #1188) departs St. Thomas at 3:30 p.m., and arrives in Charlotte at 6:16 p.m.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, visit usvitourism.vi. When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel—including on-line check-in—making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

###

Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization

Contact: Andréa Skerritt/Josefine Kals

M Booth & Associates

300 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10010

(212) 481-7000

usviteam@mbooth.com

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM TO IMPLEMENT “10 POINT PLAN”

DESIGNED TO STIMULATE WINTER DEMAND

~ New Marketing Plan to Drive Bookings December to March ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, October 24, 2008 – The Department of Tourism announces the implementation of a “10 Point Plan” to address the impact of a slow U.S. economy on the Territory’s tourism industry and stimulate additional demand for the winter season.

The 45-day stimulus plan will build upon the initiatives already outlined in the Department’s 2009 Annual Marketing Plan, and represents a significant additional commitment by the Department of Tourism to proactively and aggressively respond to changes in the Territory’s primary market for tourism.

Developed by the Department’s marketing team, the new 10-Point stimulus plan is designed to generate widespread awareness and interest in winter travel to the destination by extending incentives to travel agents and industry partners while offering the traveler additional value that encourages on-island spend.

Details of the new “10 Point Plan” are as follows:

1. Dedicated Advertising Campaign

As one of the driving forces behind the Department of Tourism’s winter strategy is a $1.5 million integrated advertising campaign combining radio, online and print placements. In collaboration with Atlanta-based JWT advertising agency, national advertising will run over the next 45 days in high-profile online and print media outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The centerpiece of the campaign, developed in collaboration with the private sector, will be the enhanced Winter Escape promotion, offering $300 in AMEX Travelers Checks and a complimentary fifth night stay, among the host of value-adds. Online advertising will integrate a call-to-action for consumers to book right away via Expedia, Travelocity, Bookit, Orbitz and Cheap Caribbean. Print advertising will integrate additional industry partners such as American Airlines Vacations, Delta Vacations, US Airways Vacations, Spirit Vacations, United Vacations and Liberty Travel, to name a few.

2. Enhanced Winter Escape Promotion

To address the fact that travelers are scaling back their winter plans and becoming even more selective, the Department of Tourism has responded by creating additional value for potential visitors during the winter season. The Department has launched an enhanced Winter Escape offer that will provide additional incentives to make purchases while on-island. Valid for bookings made through December 10, for travel between December 15 and March 31, 2009, the enhanced offer provides visitors with $300 in AMEX Travelers Checks with each booking, in addition to a $50 credit on attractions and a $50 certificate towards meals at on-island restaurants, and a coupon book with savings on activities and attractions. The Winter Escape offer also features a complimentary fifth night stay at participating hotels. The total value for the consumer visiting the Virgin Islands for at least five days is more than $2,000.

Through December 10, when the booking window officially closes, the Department will dedicate significant resources to generate media coverage and interest for the Winter Escape offer. In collaboration with its New York-based national public relations agency, M Booth & Associates, the DOT will heavily promote the offer to top-tier national media outlets and select publications in its key gateway markets. Already, coverage has been generated in national media outlets including The Washington Post, Toronto Sun and About.com.

3. Sales Team Initiatives

In an effort to get ahead of the competition on winter bookings, the Department of Tourism’s mainland sales offices will be dispatched to meet with approximately 1,000 travel agents over the next 45 days to drive interest in the enhanced Winter Escape offer and will be promoting the offer at several upcoming industry trade shows.

4. Travel Agent Incentives

To seed additional interest in the Winter Escape offer among the travel agent community, the Department of Tourism is offering a booking bonus of $50 for each five-night booking to travel agents who book the offer for their clients.

5. Travel Agent E-Blasts

The travel agent community will also be targeted via two e-blasts, which will be distributed to more than 92,000 travel agents through each e-blast over the course of the next 45 days. Each e-blast serves as a supplemental channel to communicate the latest information about the Winter Escape offer and booking bonus for agents.

6. Direct-to-Consumer Database Marketing

The Department of Tourism will also leverage its extensive database of approximately 10,000 consumers which have expressed an interest in travel to the Territory to broadcast news about the Winter Escape offer. These databases have been gathered in connection with several strategic promotional partnerships conducted over the last year with high-profile brands such as the New York Yankees, Samsonite, Yahoo! and Motherhood Maternity.

7. Supplemental Press Visits

As a means to enhance exposure with consumers in its key mainland markets, the Territory anticipates the welcome of top-tier national media this November for a group press tour of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Among the confirmed media include Black Enterprise, Travel Weekly and The Globe Newspapers. The centerpiece of the visit will feature attendance to the St. Croix Blue Bay Jazz Fest 2008, which will draw hundreds of visitors to Frederiksted from November 19-23. Media will attend the headlining events and have the opportunity to meet with select performers. Throughout the visit, media will experience all that the destination has to offer, including its vibrant culture, Danish heritage and local restaurants and shops.

8. Air Capacity Announcement (targeting trade media)

The Department of Tourism continues to work proactively alongside major airline partners to stimulate air capacity growth beyond the more than a dozen daily flights currently servicing the Territory. The number of flights servicing St. Thomas has increased by 3 percent since May 2008, and St. Croix has recaptured all but 9 percent of its air capacity. Over the next 45 days, the Department will target consumers in its key gateway and secondary markets to promote existing flight options into the Territory. Simultaneously, the public relations team continues to work closely with key journalists in the travel industry and travel trade communities to educate tour operators and wholesalers on the destination’s current air capacity and projected growth opportunities through the coming year.

9. International Marketing Efforts

The Department of Tourism has identified several opportunities to strengthen the Territory’s presence in key international markets, particularly with consumers in Scandinavia, Italy and Canada. Among the planned incentives to visitors from these European markets is the implementation of the Winter Escape promotion. The Department also looks forward to welcoming journalists from Denmark for a group press visit to explore and celebrate the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Danish ancestry, as well as hosting a press trip specifically for journalists from Italy, both taking place this November.

This week, Assistant Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge led a delegation of hoteliers, including those from Holiday Inn, Bolongo Bay, Frederiksted Hotel, Carambola and King Christian, to Denmark to meet with key representatives to discuss strategies for the coming year. With the destination’s cultural ties to its European ancestor, Denmark remains a crucial market for the USVI. Approximately 8,000 Danish travelers currently visit the USVI each year. Delta Airlines recently announced same-day flight connections from Copenhagen to St. Thomas. As a result of the new service, the DOT anticipates a substantial increase in Danish visitors to the destination in 2009 and onward.

10. Supplemental Support for On-Island Events

The DOT has also identified additional marketing opportunities in connection with cultural events and festivals offered throughout the islands, including Paradise Jam on St. Thomas and the Blue Bay Jazz Fest on St. Croix, as an incentive for travelers to visit the Territory in the coming months. These efforts include additional marketing in Puerto Rico to support the annual Blue Bay Jazz Fest and Crucian Christmas Festival.

Beyond the initiatives outlined in the above 10-Point Plan, the Department of Tourism is aggressively studying and reviewing strategies to gain interest among the group and incentive markets and small hotels, and in turn, enhance bookings through the winter season and beyond.

Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty commented, “We recognize the challenges in the marketplace that increasingly pose a threat to the sustainability of our economy and tourism business this winter and beyond,” and “we are committed to doing what we must to get ahead of the issue with the implementation of this strategic ‘10 Point Plan’ and boost bookings through a variety of marketing channels.”

For additional information about the 10-Point stimulus plan, please call Allegra Kean-Moorehead, Director of Communications, at (340) 774-8784.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, visit usvitourism.vi. When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel – including on-line check-in – making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

###

Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization

Contact: Andréa Skerritt/Josefine Kals

M Booth & Associates

300 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10010

(212) 481-7000

usviteam@mbooth.com

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
Post Office Box 6400, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00804

Telephone: (340) 774-8784 Facsimile: (340) 774-4390

Updated 10/16/08 at 1:00 p.m. AST

Message from the Commissioner

As Hurricane Omar has now passed over the Territory, we are thankful to report that the impact to our islands has been minimal.

On St. Croix, crews are now working to ensure that power is restored to all areas of the island and remove debris from roads. The island’s two major highways are now open and smaller roadways are being cleared. No major damage has been reported by the hotel properties on St. Croix.

No major power outages or damages have been reported on St. John or St. Thomas and minor debris will be cleared from the roads by early afternoon.

The Territory’s two major airports are open and fully operational, and we expect commercial traffic to resume this afternoon.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism continues to take all appropriate measures to minimize the storm’s impact for our on-island visitors and has put the safety of our guests first.

We look forward to welcoming additional visitors to the Territory as early as this afternoon.

We thank all of our on-island partners, government agencies and our Caribbean neighbors for their prayers and support over the past few days.

Sincerely,

Beverly Nicholson-Doty

Commissioner

United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

~ U.S. Virgin Islands Hosts Successful In-market Reception Event in Washington, D.C. ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, July 2, 2008 - America's Caribbean brought the islands to Washington, D.C. from June 21 to 26, during the Caribbean Tourism Organization's first Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit (ACTS). The U.S. Virgin Islands positioned itself as front-and-center among the more than 30 countries of the Caribbean that participated in the week-long events, through active participation in industry meetings to discuss important issues affecting the region and by hosting an exclusive U.S. Virgin Islands media and travel agent reception on June 26 at The Park at 14th.

~ Travelers are reminded that travel to America's Caribbean is as easy as ever ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, May 22, 2008 - As the State Department begins to produce new passport cards, travelers are reminded that no passport is required to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The cards are being issued by the State Department as an alternative to the traditional passport books in an effort to simplify travel for U.S. citizens since more rigid travel requirements have come into effect with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, May 8, 2008 - In observance of National Tourism Week in the U.S. Virgin Islands May 9 -17, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has planned numerous activities throughout the territory aimed at building awareness of the impact of tourism on the local economy.

Have lunch with us on Wednesday, May 21, at the May General Membership Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Noon to 2:00 PM

Guest speaker: Jason Gamel
American Resort Development Association
ARDA

Timeshare Development and Partnership Opportunities

To RSVP contact the Association at 774-6835 by Monday, May 19, 2008.

U.S. Virgin Islands, March 25, 2008 For more than 15 years, the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association has hosted the annual Destination Symposium, the largest gathering of travel industry partners in the territory. This year's event, whose 2008 theme is Sizzling Summer Sampler, will be held June 2-6, 2008. The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa and Frenchman's Reef Marriott will host the delegates.

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, March 12, 2008 Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Association (CTO) will be the guest speaker at the USVI Hotel & Tourism Associations' Annual Membership Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa beginning at 12 noon. Vanderpool-Wallace will speak on "The Caribbean--the most well known Destination Brand in the World." A press conference is scheduled for immediately after the meeting.

U.S. Virgin Islands, December 17, 2007 The season of giving is upon us and the Hotel & Tourism Association will join in the spirit with their annual gift presentation to the Boys & Girls Club on St. Thomas. Mascot Tommy Starfish will pay a visit to the club on Saturday, December 22, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. to spread cheer to the 50-plus kids that participate in clubs’ programs. This is the seventh year that the association has shared the spirit of the holiday with the club.

U.S. Virgin Islands, November 28, 2007 Tommy Starfish, the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association mascot, has returned from hiatus to deliver the second installment of his newsletter, Tommy Goes to School. The quarterly newsletter was created to educate kids on the tourism industry, spotlight various positions, profile local professionals, highlight indigenous facts and feature cool things that are a part of the Virgin Islands culture. This educational tool is sponsored by First Bank VI.

U.S. Virgin Islands, November 20, 2007 Hospitality employees were honored recently with prestigious Tommy Star Awards for their outstanding contributions to the industry. This is the 6th year that the Hotel & Tourism Association has hosted the awards gala to recognize “stars” for their excellence and dedication.

U.S. Virgin Islands, October 1, 2007 The 8th Annual Pumpkin Cup Golf Tournament will tee off at 9:00 am on Sunday, October 14 at Mahogany Run Golf Course. The tournament sponsored jointly by the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association and the St. Thomas/St. John Ladies Golf Association, supports programs geared toward female golfers and funds clinics to teach young women the sport. Portions of the proceeds raised are donated to the scholarship fund of the HTA. Last year’s donation exceeded $5000.

U.S. Virgin Islands, September 12, 2007 Lauritz Mills, Director of the Bureau of Economic Research (BER), will be the guest speaker at the September Membership Meeting of the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association. The luncheon meeting, scheduled for September 19 at Holiday Inn Windward Passage, will get underway at 12 noon.

U.S. Virgin Islands, September 12, 2007 In an effort to consistently offer hospitality employees advancement opportunities, American Express and the Caribbean Hotel Association will unveil a new customer service training course at a press conference on September 26, 2007, at the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas beginning at 12:30 p.m. The islands’ 15 certified trainers are scheduled for a refresher course prior to the press conference.

U.S. Virgin Islands, June 19, 2007 VI flags waved high today as the Virgin Islands Culinary Team received multiple honors at the annual Taste of the Caribbean Competition sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel Association. Competing against 12 other regional teams, the VI Culinary Team used their mystery basket of ingredients to creatively present an appetizer, entrée and dessert to the panel of discerning judges.

U.S. Virgin Islands, June 18, 2007 In November 2007, Dorcas Alexander, steward at the Westin St. John was the recipient of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association’s 2006 Tommy Star Award for Hotel Employee of the Year. Last night in Miami at the Caribbean Tourism Conference, Alexander received the American Express/Caribbean Hotel Association Salute to the Stars of the Industry Employee of the Year honor. In an audience of Caribbean counterparts, Ministers of Tourism, and other hospitality representatives, Alexander graciously accepted the tribute on behalf of all tourism employees.

U.S. Virgin Islands, June 8, 2007 Gold is the medal of choice as the Virgin Islands Culinary Team readies to compete against 13 regional teams at the annual Taste of the Caribbean Competition in Miami, Florida. The competition, sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel Association, will take place June 17-19 as a component of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Conference. The goal of the competition is to continually raise the standards of Caribbean food and beverage excellence and professionalism, promote camaraderie and educational opportunities among food and beverage professionals, and to act as a staging area for the development of food and beverage concepts.

U.S. Virgin Islands, March 14, 2007 A review of last year’s accomplishments and programs, elections, and an informative presentation by Peter Odle, President of the Caribbean Hotel Association will highlight the upcoming Annual Membership Meeting of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association. The luncheon meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at the Frenchman’s Reef Marriott beginning at 12 noon.